
Class POMAX 



/ 

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THE 



JERUSALEM DELIVERED 32 ^ 



TORQUATO TASSO, 



TRANSLATED IX THE METRE OF THE ORIGINAL, 



BY THE 

REV. CHARLES LESINGHAM SMITH, M.A. 

RECTOR OF LiTTLE CANFIEID, ESSEX, AND FORMERLY FELLOE AND 

MATHEMATICAL LECTURER OF CHRI9T'S COLLEGE, 

CAMBRIl GE. 



In verbis etiam tenuis cautusque serendis, 

Hoc amet, hoc spernat promissi carramis auctor. 



SECOND EDITION 

Privately Printed. 



LONDON: 

h. B^ tRETT & SONS, PRINTERS, 13, MARK LANK 

1874. 




r\ "* h^ 



LONDON 

R. BARRETT AND SONS, PRINTERS, 

MARK LANE. 

205449 
'13 






I 






TO 



LADY SMITH, 

of |£ofotsfoft t 



AS A TOKEN OF ADMIRATION FOR HER LITERARY 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS, 

OF VENERATION FOR HER YEARS 

NOW EXCEEDING A HUNDRED AND ONE, 

AND OF GRATITUDE FOR HER DELIGHTFUL CORRESPONDENCE 

STILL CONTINUED WITH UNABATED GENIUS, 

This Work is inscribed 

BY 

her Ladyship's constant and affectionate 

FRIEND, 

THE AUTHOR 



PREFACE. 



This translation, if it may still be called the same 
after much of it has been re-written, was published in 
1851, and soon came to a premature death. As far as 
the Author is aware there were only three reviews of it. 
The one in the John Bull was short, but wholly lauda- 
tory, and characterized the work as being, " apart from 
its high merit as a translation, a delectable English 
Poem." That which appeared in the Examiner was 
partly favorable, but mostly the reverse, as may be 
seen from the letter respecting it inserted after the 
Prefaces. The third, in the Spectator, was vituperative 
throughout, discovering no merit at all in any port of 
the work : each of the other two had at least awarded 
some degree of praise, 

a\\' ovk ArpelSri AyajjLE/jLVOvt i)vlave BvfJioj, 
aWa kcikwq a(pUi Kparepbv S' tnl fivdov ereXXe. 

And this last notice, being certainly clever, probably 
gave a quietus to the new-born brat of the Author's 
brain. 

For a long time afterwards he attempted no more to 
brave the critics, whose bristling pens reminded him 
of the words of Dante : 

" Ahi qtianto a dir qual'era, e cosa dura, 
Questa selva selvaggia ed aspra e forte, 
Che nel pensier rinxraova la paura." 

But subsequently, and especially during the severe 
illness which, twenty-three years later, has confined 
him to the house; for many months, he has amused 
himself with revising his work, and has discovered in 



E 

>t himself many more imperfections and mistakes, 
I some less excusable ones, than those which had 
been pointed out by others. He imagines that he has 
at last so far improved the version as to justify him in 
giving it one more chance of survival by reprinting it 
for his friends : and if the public should ever inquire 
h ; w he comes now to have learnt so proper and so 
modest a \;r. he may reply with Reynard in the 

fable : " Why, to tell your Majesty the truth. I was 
taught it by the Ass that lie there" — meaning 

the luckless first Edition. 



PREFACE TO THE FIEST EDITIOX. 



There seems to be an opinion now very generally 
prevailing that a translation, to arrive at the greatest 
attainable degree of perfection, should assume as 
nearly as possible the form of its original. The old 
heroic couplet is no longer regarded as the sole garb 
in which a foreign poet can be decently presented to 
the English public. This garb was doubtless retained 
so long not solely from imitation or fashion, but also 
from a want of confidence in the powers of the English 
tongue. Our rhymes were known to be far less 
copious than those of the Italian, and this circum- 
stance may have long deterred the translators who 
succeeded Dryden and Pope from seriously attempt- 
ing the triple or quadruple rhyme. They may have 
despaired of moving through their tasks as gracefully as 
those masters of song, if they allowed themselves to be 
encumbered with such heavy shackles. They were so 
dazzled by the splendour of Pope's conquests, that 
they did not perceive how much he had sacrificed to 
gain them ; so they, too, resolved to neglect all else in 
order to attain to a similar smoothness of style. 

But it is well understood now that this excessive 
smoothness may be acquired at the expense of more 
valuable qualities. A certain degree of it indeed is 
indispensable, and is not beyond our reach ; for the 
English language is exceedingly rich in synonyms, and 
is capable in an extraordinary degree of expansion, by 
the use of its Eoman derivatives, and of contraction 
by means of its Saxon monosyllables. Moreover the 
ancient forms of words, which may be properly em- 
ployed in many kinds of serious poetry, add greatly 
to our stock of words and rhymes. He who translates, 
therefore, into our language, must feel that he has a 
most powerful weapon in his hand, though he himself 
may be unable to wield it with dexterity. 

These considerations are sufficient to justify an at- 
tempt at rendering the grand epic of Tasso into English 
ottava rima, in spite of the labours of Hoole and his 



Vlll PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 

successors. All their versions have been made either in 
the heroic couplet, or in what seems to be still more 
incongruous, the Spenserian stanza : and hence the 
following work cannot properly be compared with any 
of these, nor come into competition with them. 

But there is already extant a version in the metre 
of the original, which not only w^as popular soon after 
it was produced, but may be said to have risen to 
popularity again in the present day. And certainly 
the " Godfrey of Bulloigne " by Fairfax is a work 
which is never likely to vanish from English literature. 
There is a charm about the ancient structure of its 
language which can hardly fail to allure ; for the 
degree of its antiquity is such that it is sufficiently 
aged to excite feelings of veneration, and yet suffi- 
ciently modern to be intelligible to all. There is a 
spirit and an ease in the versification, too, which is 
wonderful considering the age in which it was pro- 
duced ; there being no more inversion of language than 
was almost allowable in the prose of that day, or than 
was hidden from notice by the antique structure and 
grouping of the words. 

But these very virtues which we commend are 
reasons why a new version may be attempted without 
presumption. There are many who prefer modern 
language to ancient, however beautiful or intelligible 
the latter may be ; and there are still more who would 
like to have the genuine thoughts of Tasso more 
faithfully portrayed. The words of the Italian poet 
are chosen throughout with the most fastidious nicety, 
and can very rarely be added to, curtailed, or altered 
in any way, without some loss of effect. Fairfax 
seems to have been utterly without a perception of 
this fact, for he capriciously inserts, lops off, and 
changes at almost every line without remorse, and 
without necessity. If one idea catches his fancy, he 
frequently dwells on it and dilates it into tautology 
and verbiage ; and then of course must squeeze the 
adjacent ideas into narrower compass, or exclude them 
altogether. The reader who wishes for an example, 
of what is meant need not dip far into his version. 
At the beginning of it, in the fourth stanza, occurs 
the following couplet : — 

My muse hereafter shall perhaps unfold 

Your fights, your battles, and your combats bold. 



PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. IX 

\Yhat is tlie last line but downright inept garrulity ] 
And yet similar instances may be found constantly 
recurring ; insomuch that it is clear the writer de- 
lighted in such work, and seized every opportunity of 
thus playing the conjuror, and showing on what an 
insignificant base he could pile a pyramid of words. 
Xor does he only debase the language of his original ; 
he even lowers the characters also, particularly those 
which are Pagan. He writes as if he thought it the 
duty of a Christian ever to speak of all these with 
horror; and the character of Emirene, so noble in 
the original, and so worthy to be Godfrey's rival, he 
especially injures. Thus while both the sentences 
and the personages of Tasso are like so many pieces 
of exquisite sculpture, carved out of Parian marble, 
and polished to the highest degree of splendour ; those 
of Fairfax are copies in rough clay, exhibiting strong 
signs of genius indeed, but coarse in the extreme, and 
full of cracks and flaws. 

The author of the present attempt is fully aware of 
the danger to which he exposes himself by speaking 
thus openly of a work which has been long and highly 
applauded. He is induced to do so by no overweening 
opinion of the merits of his own labours, and by no 
defiance of criticism, but simply by his love of Tasso 
and his love of truth. Whether he himself shall be 
able to supply the deficiencies of Fairfax, or not, he 
cannot but protest against the " Godfrey of Eulloigne " 
being taken as a fair specimen of the " Gerusalemme 
Liberata." The old English version is, he admits, a 
fine poem in many respects, but emphatically it is not 
Tasso. The field is therefore still open to other 
translators ; so that even in case of failure, it will not 
be disgraceful to have attempted the task. 

For the author of the following version to plead 
the difficulty of it, and to dwell on the arduous cha- 
racter of the metre adopted, will be in vain : for though 
these circumstances may add some flowers to his 
wreath if he shall be successful, they will excite for 
him but little compassion in case he shall be deemed 
to have failed. All that he wishes to state is that he 
has not rushed irreverently before the public with a 
hasty performance ; and all that he cares to ask for is 
an accurate examination and a candid judgment. 



THE EXAMINER EXAMINED 

IX A LETTER TO A FRIEND. 



Csedimns inque vicem prasbemus crura sagittis. 



L. Canfield Rectory, Dec, 4$5t. 

~Mx dear Sir, — At your request I have put into 
writing the remarks which I made on the Examiner's 
late review of my version of Tasso. 

The critic in that paper of Xovember 29th begins 
with the Argument to the first Canto, and gives what 
he calls a literal translation to be compared with mine. 
He is utterly unconscious that there are two sets of 
Arguments, of which he has taken the one, and I the 
other : no wonder, then, the results do not tally very 
precisely. Moreover, he evidently supposes these Ar- 
guments to be written by Tasso himself, whereas they 
are the work of inferior hands. 

It is scarcely worth while to notice the critic's un- 
qualified assertion that " ottava rhna is not a difficult 
metre ; " for however " manageable " it may b° in 
original composition, even " a child " may discover ihat 
such metre must exceedingly increase the difficulties of 
translation. 

His attack upon the first stanza of Canto XII is not 
unjust, and I freely resign this morsel to his wrath, 
only regretting that I could not make it more palatable. 
It would be strange indeed if among nearly two thousand 
stanzas criticism could not fasten upon a single faulty 
one ; and if even 

Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus, 

candour might pardon an occasional nod in a humble 
translator. At the same time I think my poetic version 
quite as good as his in prose \ for what can be more 
absurd than to make Tasso say that at night time " there 
lay the Pagans strengthening their defences," as if men 
could work while they were lying down ] The critic 
seems to disrelish old Italian as much as he does old 



THE EXAMINER EXAMINED. XI 

English, words, and to mistake gian (they went about) 
for giacean (they lay clown). Nor is this the only 
blunder in his luckless attempt at literal translation. 
Instead of " the laborious people did not take refresh- 
ment in sleep," it should be, since he insists on exact- 
ness, " the laborious peoples (meaning the Franks and 
the Pagans) did not take refreshment with sleep," or 
rather " from sleep " as the English idiom requires. It 
is only the somnambulist, or other dreamer, who talks 
of " taking refreshment in sleep." Judge now whether 
the learned critic is not as unsafely seated on his pro- 
saic donkey as he represents me to be on my poetical 
Pegasus. Good translation, it seems, is not so very 
easy a matter after all, even to this judicious scholar, 
and in simple prose. 

As to the rest of his charges : that my version is not 
absolutely literal ; that it contains a few ancient words, 
as do the works of almost all poets ; that there are 
several bad rhymes, for which authority could be pro- 
duced from the double, not triple, rhymes of Dryden 
and Pope ; that there are " a tolerable number " of what 
he calls imperfect lines, i.e. lines not consisting of five 
regular monotonous iambs, which seem to him neces- 
sary for the constitution of harmony ; and lastly that 
I have taken a great deal of pains with the work : to 
all these charges, I say, I plead guilty, and regard 
most of them as merits ratlier than defects. 

It is curious enough, however, that in his concluding 
remarks he unsays briefly the greater part of what he 
had said lengthily in the beginning. For instance. 
compare these parallel passages together, and see how 
the one flatly contradicts the other : 

The following is a fair spe- There are not a few pages 

cimen of the degree of firm- like the following, with which 

ness with which Mr. Smith sits we close, and from which it 

his steed, and which we find will be seen that if we had not 

displayed wherever we watch mingled fair and honest praise 

him as he travels down his ■ with our objections, we should 

line of road. not have conveyed a fair im- 
pression. 

Almost in every stanza he If all difficulties be con- 
has found it necessary to put sidered, we may call the ver- 
in one or more redundant sion very close, .... and there 
words or phrases to eke out are passages in which the trans- 
Ins lines. lation is not only close, but also 

spirited. 

What has been done through- We do not mean to say that 



Xll THE EXAMINER EXAMINED. 

out indeed under distress for in the six hundred and odd 
rhyme would startle Dr. La- pages of verse . . . the number 
tham, who lays down with of bad rhymes is at all great. 
horrible distinctness the laws 
of rhyming in his Prosody. 

It would be easy to add to this list, but the sum of 
all is, that I have proved myself " to be beyond all 
question a clever man," — how? — by making a bad 
translation of Tasso ! 

Ought not the man who presumes to mould the 
public opinion to have formed at least a consistent one 
of his own 1 And are you not now disposed to ask 
with me, what could the Editor of the Examiner be 
doing when he admitted this tissue of blunders and 
self-contradictions into his respected columns ? 
Believe me, 

My dear Sir, 

Ever sincerely yours, 

C. LESINGHAM SMITH. 



TOEQUATO TASSO'S 

JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 



CANTO I. 

ARGUMENT. 



That Sion may receive in her sad plight 

Fit aid at last, and 'scape from grievous thrall, 

An angel from the skies bends down his flight, 
And ronses Godfrey to the battle's call : 

Whence he assembles every gallant knight 
Into one host, aud shines there chief o'er all : 

The camp is therefore seen with steel to shine, 

And hastes with him to' achieve the grand design. 

I. 

The pious arms and Captain who restor'd 

To freedom the grand tomb of Christ, I sing ; 
Much wrought he both by counsel and by sword, 

Much suffer'd ere the glorious triumphing : 
In vain Hell fronted him, and Asia's horde, 

And Afric's also, made the war-cry ring ; 
For Heav'n approv'd him, and recluc'd in fine 
His wand'ring feres beneath the holy sign. 

ii. 
O Muse, who twin'st not for thy brows a tire 

Of fading laurels on Parnassus' mound, 
But up in Heav'n, among the blessed quire, 

With everlasting stars of gold art crown'd, 
Breathe in my bosom thy celestial fire ; 

Tune thou my verse ; and if the truth be found 
With ornament inwoven, if my song 
Have other charms than thine, forgive the wrong. 

in. 
Thou know'st that thither hie the thoughtless train 

Where rills of Helicon most sweetly roll, 
And that the truth conceal'd in tender strain 

Allures the most impatient of control. 
Thus, ere 'tis given to the sick child, we stain 

With grateful juice the margin of the bowl ; 
Mistaken then he quaffs the bitter dew, 
And wins from the mistake his life anew. 



Z TORQUATO TASSO. C?ANTC 

IV. 

Thou, great Alphonso, who from fortune's spite 

Withdraw'st and guidest into haven fair 
Me, toss ? d among the waves, a wand'ring wight, 

And 'mong the rocks, and stunn'd nigh to despair, 
Deign to receive these pages with delight, 

"Which as a votive offering I hear : 
One day, perchance, may my presaging pen 
Dare write of thee what now it hints to men. 

v. 
T Tis reason quite that the good Christian race, 

If e'er from other quarrel it he free, 
And seek with ships and steeds from savage Thrace 

To wrest the grand prize held hy wrongful plea, 
Should upon land enthrone thee, or else place 

Under thy sole dominion ev'ry sea. 
Meanwhile attend to our melodious charms, 
Rival of Godfrey, and prepare for arms. 

VI. 

Eoll'd the sixth year since to the East had eross'd 
The Christian camp upon its high emprise, 

And had won Nice by storm, and the strong post 
Of Antioch already in artful guise 

And then in battle held it gainst the host 
Of Persia swoll'n to' immeasurable size ; 

And had besieg'd Tortosa, and withdrawn 

From winter's rage to wait the new year's dawn. 

VII. 

And now the season when the storms retire 
And leave once more a field for arms was near ; 

When from His lofty throne, th' eternal Sire, 
Who dwells where Heav'n is most serenely clear, 

And far as o'er Hell's pit the stars aspire, 
So far in height exceeds the starry sphere, 

Bent down His eyes, and in one point, one gaze, 

Beheld whate'er th' united world displays. 

VIII. 

All things beheld He, and where Syria lay, 
Dwelt on the leaders of the Christian band : 

And with that vision, by whose piercing ray 
The secrets of all human hearts are scann'd, 

Sees Godfrey that he longs to chase away 
The impious Pagan from the Holy Land ; 

That, full of faith and zeal, he disregards 

Wealth, glory, power and all such frail rewards. 



CANTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 3 

IX. 

-But Baldwin views He all intent to gain 

The glories which from human thing's redound : 
Tancred He views hold, life in high disdain. 

B great of his fond love the smarting wound : 
And Boemond lay foundations for his reign, 

Commenc'd o'er Antioch, with a skill profound. 
And laws impose, and customs introduce, 
And arts, and true religion's sacred use ; 

x. 
And of such thoughts he so becomes the slave. 

That small respect for other task he shows. 
Einaldo marks He with a soul all brave, 

And spirits impatient ever of repose ; 
For gold or empire never does he crave, 

But restlessly for gloiy thirsts and glows. 
He marks him hang upon Guelph's lips intent 
To catch bright patterns from each old event. 

XL 

When these and other hearts th' Almighty ken 
Had search'd. and mark'd each passion's inward trace, 

He summons from th' angelic splendours then 
Gabriel, who 'mang the rirst held second place : 

'Twixt God is he and souls of purer men 
Interpreter and messenger of grace ; 

Down hither the decrees of Heav'n he bears, 

And back to Heav'n all mortal zeal and pray'rs. 

XII. 

To him God said : " Find Godfrey ; in my name 
Say to him — Why thus let the moments flee ] 

TVhy not at once relume the battle's name, 
To set Jerusalem, now captive, free \ 

Call he the chiefs to council ; move the tame 
T«:» this high task ; its Captain he shall be. 

I choose him here, nor shall his comrades mar 

The choice, henceforth his ministers in war." 

XIII. 

Thus spake He. and with ardour unrestrained 

To execute the mandate Gabriel flew. 
His form, which else invisible had remained, 

He girt with air, subjecting it to view : 
A human face and human limbs he feigned, 

But o'er them heav'nly majesty he threw : 
Twixt youth and child his age appear'd to hold, 
And he adorn' d with rays his locks of gold. 



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CAXTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 

XIX. 

His warlike comrades who remain combin'd, 

Or stray not far off, he invites to meet ; 
Letters he sends, and messengers behind, 

Nor fails whene'er he counsels to entreat. 
All which allures and stings a generous mind, 

All which wakes valour from its drowsy seat, 
His genius prompts him, and adorns so well 
As to delight at once and to compel. 

xx. 
The leaders came, and then the whole array, 

Eoemond alone not answering the call. 
A portion stay'd without, a portion lay 

Among the homes within Tortosa's wall. 
The magnates of the host on solemn day 

(A glorious senate) were assembled all. 
The pious Godfrey here address 'd the crowd, 
His mien august, his voice resounding loud. 

XXI. 

" Warriors of God, whom the great king of Heaven, 
Hath chos'n His faith's sad losses to restore, 

And while by arms assaiTd, or tempest driven, 
Hath watch' d and kept secure on sea and shore, 

So that so many kingdoms we have riven 

From rebels, though so few years have roll'd o'er, 

And 'mong the nations vanquish' d and made tame 

Have spread His conqu'ring banners and Bis name ; 

XXII. 

" Our sweetest pledges and our native nest 
We left not erst, if rightly I suppose, 

Nor to the treacherous wave expos 'd our breast, 
And to a distant warfare's perilous blows, 

To win the vulgar shout so soon repress'd, 
And wring a barbarous region from our foes ; 

Which purpos'd, poor and small would be our meed, 

And to our soul's great loss our limbs would bleed. 

XXIII. 

" But 'twas the purport of our thoughts in fine 
To storm the walls of S ion's fam'd retreat, 

And draw the Christians from the yoke indign 
Of slavery so cruel and unmeet, 

By founding a new reign in Palestine, 
Where piety might have a shelter' d seat, 

And none forbid the holy pilgrim bow 

Before the grand Tomb, and fulfil his vow. 



6 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO I. 

XXIV. 

" Much to our risk then's all we yet have wrought, 

More to our labour, little to our fame, 
Nought to our purpose, if we stay for aught, 

Or turn 'gainst other place our warlike aim. 
What will't avail from Europe to have brought 

So great force, and in Asia rais'd a flame, 
When end these mighty movements after all, 
Not in the birth of kingdoms, but their fall ] 

XXV. 

" He rears no edifice who would proceed 

To build up empires on mere worldly ground, 

Where there are few of his own land or creed 
Among the countless pagan hordes around ; 

Where hopes from Greece are frail as is the reed, 
And Western aid is far bey 01? d his bound ; 

But moves a whelming ruin, and his doom 

Is to have train d for his own self a tomb. 

XXVI. 

" The laurels from the Turks and Persians riven. 

And Antioch ever in renown so fair, 
These were no spoils of ours, but gifts from Heaven, 

And marvellous indeed the vict'ries were. 
But if they now distorted be, and driven 

Against that end which was the Giver's care, 
I fear lest He resume them, and our fame, 
Re-echoing now, become an empty name. 

XXVII. 

" May none, Heav'n, such gracious gifts degrade 

And forfeit by such uses as offend ! 
Let to the grand foundations which are laid 

Respond the work's whole progress and its end I 
Now that our steps are free and all unstay'd, 

Now that the changing season will befriend, 
Why speed not to the city, object still 
Of all our vict'ries ? What more thwarts our will ? 

XXVIII. 

" Princes, I vow to you, and this my vow 

Present and future worlds shall hear, — the pure 

Celestial spirits above us hear it now, — 
The time for the emprise is now mature ; 

The more we loiter, less will it allow, 

Most doubtful will be then whats now secure. - 

I well foresee that if our course be slow, 

Egypt in Palestine will aid the foe." 



CANTO L JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 7 

XXIX. 

He spake ; and there ensued a murmuring noise : 
Then Peter rose, the monk from lonely station, 

Who sat with the niaild. chiefs, a counsellor wise, 
And primal author of the grand migration : 

" What Godfrey thus exhorts, and I advise, 
Nor, if plain truth be its own demonstration, 

Can doubt perplex you, he has largely shown, 

Ye have approv'd, and I add this alona 

XXX. 

" If all your feuds pursued without remorse, 

Your emulous affronts, I well survey, 
Your thwarting schemes, your actions without force, 

Begun too late, and broken off midway, 
I trace to one original deep source 

The cause of every let and every fray ; 
To that authority, so pois'd and even, 
To so many discordant judgments given. 

XXXI. 

u Where rules not one alone who shall proclaim 
Eewards and punishments for great and small, 

Who shall assign each task, and point each aim, 
There must the government needs err, and fall. 

Ah ' join these friendly members in one frame ; 
Appoint one head to curb and govern all ; 

Into one hand the power and sceptre bring, 

And let one only seem, and be, a king." 

XXXII. 

Here ceas'd the sage. Pure Spirit, and heavenly Fire ! 

What thoughts are ever shut from thee] what breast % 
The hermit's eloquence thou dost inspire, 

And leave it on the warrior's heart impressed ; 
Thou tak'st each grafted, . each innate desire 

Of power, of fame, of freedom from the rest, 
Till Guelph and William, the most lofty, call 
Foremost for Godfrey to be Chief o'er all 

XXXIIL 

The others approv'd The part he must fulfil 

Is to deliberate, and rule their bands, 
Impose upon the vanquished laws at will, 

Make war whene'er he pleaseth, on what lands. 
They, equal once, henceforth obedient still, 

Must be the ministers of his commands. 
This done, the rumour of it flies, and, sprung 
To giant size, expands from tongue to tongue. 



8 TORQUATO Ta CANTO I. 

XXXIV. 

He shows him to the troops ; and as they g 
They deem him worthy of his post of pride. 

With niien compos'd and placid he repays 
Their military cheers fron evety side ; 

And when to their submissive fond displays 
Of loyalty and love he had replied, 

Commands he that in open plain next day 

The host be all drawn out in full array. 

XXXV. 

The sun, arising from the East again, 

ILeturn'd serene beyond his wont and bright, 
When, with the day's new beams, in marshall'd tram 

Came forth beneath his banner every knight, 
And before Godfrey wheel'd around the plain, 

Caparison'd as richly as he might ; 
He fix'd remain' d, and saw both foot and horse 
Distinctly pass before him in their com 

xxxvi. 
^lind, foe of years, who foil'st oblivion's aim, 

Dispensing things and keeping them secure, 
Avail me of that army to re-name 

Each chief and squadron through thy reas'ning sure ; 
Re-echo and relume their ancient fame, 

By years long render'd silent and obscure ; 
Ta'en from thy treasures, may my tongue adorn 
What every age may list to, none may scorn. 

XXXVTL 

First of the long array the Franks advance, 

Led erst by Hugo, the king's brother bold ; 
These were selected from the Isle of France, 

Fair ample realm which rivers four infold. 
When Hugo died, the haughty troop with lance 

Follow'd their usual banner, lilies gold, 
Under Clothaire, a captain of renown, 
To whom if aught were lacking, 'twas a crown. 

xxxvni. 
A thousand arni'd most heavily were there. 

The knights who follow'd were as many more, 
Hot diff 'ring from the first in force, in air, 

In discipline, and in the arms they wore ; 
All Normans, of 1 m Robert had the care, 

The native prince who led these nations o'er. 
Two pastors next, William and Ademar, 
Unfurl'd before their people flags of war. 



CANTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 9 

XXXIX. 

Both, these, who minister'd the solemn mass 

And holy sacerdotal duties erst. 
Now press their long locks with the helm of brass, 

And in the cruel use of arms are vers'd. 
From Orange and the countries near there pass 

Four hundred chosen warriors with the first ; 
The other guides to war from Poggio's town 
A force the same in number and renown. 

XL. 

With his own Bolognese then Baldwin leads 
Those who had lately form'd his brother's band, 

Whom now to him that loving brother cedes, 
Since o'er commanders he assumes command. 

In order next the Count Carnuti speeds, 
In counsel mighty, daring too of hand ; 

Four hundred he conducts, and thrice that sum 

Of mounted men-at-arms with Baldwin come. 

XLI. 

Bank'd near to these Guelph occupied the plain, 
One with whose lofty birth his merit contended : 

He through his Latin father from a chain, 

Prolong'd and clear, of Estian sires descended. 

But German both in name and in domain, 

Into the mighty Guelphic house was blended ; 

He rul'd Carinthia, and where Danube roll'd, 

And Rhine, where Rhsetians dwelt, and Sueves of old. 

XLII. 

To this his own maternal heritage, 

Accessions had he won renown'd and grand. 

Thence he drew forth a race who would engage 
With death, and deem it sport, at his command, 

Used in warm halls to temper winter's rage, 
And celebrate the feast with commerce bland. 

Five thousand they set out ; and there remain 

But scarce a third by Persian foes unslain. 

XLIII. 

Then follow'd the fair flaxen tribes who line 

The shore and touch the German and the Frank, 

Where the Moselle inundates, and the Rhine, 
A land for grain and herds of noblest rank : 

Their islesmen also, who fence out the brine 
Of the devouring ocean with tall bank ; 

The ocean which not only gulps and whelms 

Ships with their riches, but whole towns and realms. 



10 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO I. 

XLIV. 

These are a thousand each, and the command 
Is held by another Robert o'er the whole. 

More numerous somewhat is the British band 

'Neath William the king's youngest son's control. 

The English all are archers, and expand 

Their ranks with people nearer to the Pole : 

These rough from the deep woods of Ireland wend, 

Last realm of all, disjoin'd from the world's end. 

XLV. 

Then Tancred came, and mid such numbers there 

No greater warrior, save Einaldo, shin'd, 
Nor one more graceful in address and air, 

Nor of more lofty and intrepid mind. 
If any fault can with a shade impair 

His lustrous fame, 'tis but love's folly blind ; 
Love, born from sudden glance in battle's hour, 

Which feeds itself on grief, and gathers pow'r. 

XLVI. 

On that eventful day, the rumour goes, 

On which the Franks broke down the Persian pride, 
When Tancred, now victorious o'er his foes, 

Was weary of pursuit at hot noontide, 
He sought at length refreshment and repose 

For his parch'd lips and over-wearied side, 
And drew to where in cool inviting dell 
Gush'd forth, mid verdant seats, a living well. 

XLVIL 

Here suddenly appear'd to him a maid, 

Full ann'd save that her forehead lack'd its tire \ 

A Pagan, she had sought within the glade 
Refreshment, just as had been his desire. 

He gaz'd, admir'd the features thus display'd, 
Was ravish'd with their beauty, and took fire. 

O marvel ! Love, though scarcely born, takes wing, 

Already vast, and arni'd is triumphing ! 

XLVIII. 

She brac'd upon her head the glittering crest, 

And had not others come, had charg'd the knight. 

The haughty lady left her thrall at rest, 
Driv'n by necessity alone to flight. 

But her fair warlike image in his breast 

Was treasur'd as it first had caught his sight ; 

And aye the spot and mode in which she came 

Dwell in his thoughts, food ever to the flame. 



CANTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 11 

XLIX. 

And in his mien shrewd people well may read, 
This person loves, and loves too in despair ; 

So full of sighs he comes, so mutely plead 
His downward glances, and his mournful air. 

Eight hundred he escorts, each on his steed, 
From gay Campania, realm for ever fair, 

Where nature in her grander pomp is seen, 

And rich soft hills are woo'd by the Tyrrhene. 

L. 

Two hundred born in Greece are next descried ; 

Loaded with little steel they pace the ground ; 
Curv'cl sabres are suspended from one side ; 

And bows and quivers at their backs resound ; 
Their steeds are lean, with scanty fare supplied, 

Untam'd by toil, and in the race renown'd : 
Prompt in assault and in retreat alike, 
Straying and scatter'd, as they fly they strike. 

LI. 

Tatinus rul'd the troop, sole Greek who came 
To swell the numbers of the Latin band. 

shame ! crime ! Hast thou not now the flame 
Of battle, Greece, red rising near thy land % 

Yet idly sitt'st thou, a spectator tame, 
Waiting the issue of these actions grand. 

Vile slave if thou art now, thy slav'ry long 

(Lament no more) is justice, and not wrong. 

LII. 

Lo, next there comes a troop, the last in post, 

But in renown, skill, valour, foremost far ; 
Th' Adventurous heroes these, a matchless host, 

Terror of Asia, thunderbolts of war. 
Let Argo boast no Minyas, Arthur boast 

No errant knights, whose deeds but phantoms are ; 
For paragon'd with these old memories die. 
Who leads them, and deserves a grade so high 1 

nil. 
Dudon of Consa. And, since 'twixt the brave 

And highborn to decide, hard had it been, 
The rest concordant had resolv'd to waive 

•Their claims for him who most had done and seen. 
He, of a manhood now mature and grave. 

Shows his full hoary 1 ocks in vigour green ; 
And shows, as if 'twere honor's worthy trace, 
The mark of blows which do not leave disgrace. 



12 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO I. 



LIV. 

Eustace is next, to whom his own deeds bring, 
Still more his brother Godfrey brings, renown. 

There is Gernando, son of Norway's king, 

Vaunting of many a sceptre, title, and crown. 

Roger of Barneville, for high meriting, 

And Engerlan, old fame has handed down • 

And, 'mong the bravest- deem'd, Gentonio see, 

One Eambald, and two Gerards, brave as he. 

LV. 

Ubald and Rosmond, too, are prais'd — the last 
To Lancaster's great dukedom would succeed. 

Be not the Tuscan knight Obizzo cast 

Where mem'ries are ingolph'd with jaws of greed ; 

Nor the three Lombard brothers be o'erpast, 
Achilles, Sforza, and young Palamede ; 

Nor Otho, on whose hard-won shield one saw 

The naked child come from the serpent's maw. 

LVI. 

Nor Ralph, nor Guasco do I leave behind, 

Nor th' one Guy nor the other, both renown'd ; 

Neither shall Everard nor Gernier find 

Their prowess in ungrateful silence drown'd. 

Gildippe and Edward, ye two hearts combin'd, 
Whither compel me weary with the sound 

Of numb'ring 1 Spouses, consorts e'en in fight, 

You death itself shall fail to disunite. 

LVII. 

What does not Love teach ? In his school she gained 
A martial courage theretofore unknown ; 

Ever by his dear side has she remained, 
And both lives hang upon one fate alone. 

No stroke which hurts but one is e'er sustained, 
But of each wound unshar'd is all the moan ; 

And oft the one is struck and the other pines, 

And he his soul, if she her blood, resigns. 

LVIII. 

But over these, o ? er all who in that hour 
Were led forth in array, thou mightest view 

The young Rinaldo's regal forehead tow'r, 

And tow'rds him only all men's glances drew. 

He outran age and hope, and when the flow'r 
Seem'd quickly born, lo ! the fruit folio w'd too. 

Mark him in armour thundering o'er the field, 

You deem him Mars ; Love, with his face reveal'd. 



CAKTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 13 

LIX. 

Him on the Adige "bank Sophia bore 

To Bertold : she for sweetest beauty admired, 

He for his puissance ; and almost before 
The child was wean'd, Matilda had desired 

To rear him, and she taught him kingly lore, 
And every noble art. With her retired 

He ever dwelt, until was his young breast 

Enamour'd of the trumpet heard from th' East. 

LX. 

Then (nor three lustres had he counted o'er) 
Alone he fled, through paths where perils lay, 

Cross'd o'er th' Egean, pass'd the Grecian shore, 
And join'd the camp in regions far away. 

Most noble flight, meet to be held before 
His sons for pattern in some future day ! 

Three years he now had warr'd, and scarce appear'd 

Upon his chin the soft untimely beard. 

LXI. 

The cavalry pass'd by, lo next the train 
Of infantry, and Eaymond leads the van. 

He rul'd Toulouse, and gather'd 'twixt the main, 
The Pyrenees, and where the Garonne ran, 

Four thousand foot, accustom'd to sustain 
The brunt of war, a veteran hardy clan : 

Well arm'd are these ; no leader more renown'd 

For daring courage, and for skill profound. 

LXII. 

Stephen of Amboise next conducts a band 

From Blois and Tours, five thousand for the fight, 

A feeble race, unable to withstand 

Long toil, though beaming all in armour bright. 

Much they resemble their own native land, 
So soft, so fair, so full of gay delight. 

At first they rush impetuous bo the fray, 

But languish speedily, and fall away. 

LXIII. 

Alcasto came the third with threat'ning face, 
Like Capaneus approaching Thebes of old : 

Six thousand Swiss, a brave and savage race, 
Had he collected from their Alpine hold, 

Who turn'd the steel which had been wont to trace 
The furrow, to new use and nobler mould • 

And with the hand which guarded herd and flock 

Seem'd to defy the kings to mortal shock. 



14 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO I. 

LXIV. 

Behold near these the lofty banner spread 
"With Peter's diadem and keys in view. 

Seven thousand here the good Caraillus led, 
On foot in heavy arms of glittering hue. 

Glad that Heav'n chose him for a task so dread, 
Where his ancestral fame he might renew \ 

Or cause that Latin valour should be known 

To lack for nought, save discipline alone. 

LXV. 

But now the many bands had all pass'd by 
In fair array, and this had clos'd the train, 

When Godfrey bids the nobler chiefs draw nigh, 
And opes to them his mind and purpose plain : 

" Soon as to-morrow's dawn relumes the sky, 
The army's swift departure I ordain, 

So that it reach, unlook'd for by the foe, 

Yon sacred city, and sudden strike the blow. 

LXVI. 

" Prepare yourselves, then, for the march," he cries, 
" And for the battle, and the vict'ry too." 

A speech so daring from a man so wise 
Wakes and invigorates each heart anew. 

All, prompt to move whene'er the sun shall rise, * 
Impatient wait for morning's rosy hue : 

Yet cautious Godfrey is not undistress'd 

By fears, although he hide them in his breast. 

LXVII. 

For he by sure intelligence had learned, 
That Egypt's king was posted on the way 

Tow'rd Gaza, whence his force might soon be turned 
On Syria's realm, so fair that strong fort lay : 

Nor could he deem that one who ever yearned 
For fierce emprise would now inactive stay ; 

But soon in him expecting a sharp foe, 

Bespake his faithful envoy Henry so : 

LXVIII. 

" Take thee a pinnace, and with oar and wind 
Make thou the transit to the Grecian shore ; 

Where should arrive ('tis written thus I find 
By one whose news have never err'd of yore) 

A royal youth of an undaunted mind, 
Who to take part with us is coming o'er. 

Prince of the Danes he is, and leads to war 

A race from realms beneath the polar star. 



CANTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 15 

LXIX. 

" But since the Grecian emperor will have plied 

Perchance already his accnstom'd arts, 
To cause him to retreat, or turn aside 

His venturous course from us to distant parts, 
Do thou, my nunciate and adviser tried, 

Dispose him in my name to that which starts 
'Vantage to both : tell him to come with speed ; 
Since each delay against his fame will plead. 

LXX. 

" Eeturn not thou with him ; but still remain 
Xear to the Grecian emperor, with intent 

To gain those succours, prorais'd oft in vain, 

"Which now by right of treaty should be sent." ' 

Thus taught, the envoy stay'd but to obtain 
Letters of credence and of compliment ; 

Then, taking leave, he stay'd no more for aught, 

And Godfrey for a while gave truce to thought. 

LXXI. 

When next the sun in his diurnal round 
Pass'd the bright portals of the East again, 

There rose of trumpets and of drums a sound, 
At which each warrior leapt upon the plain. 

So grateful ne'er to the o'er-heated ground 

Thunder, that cheer? the world with hopes of rain, 

As to that gallant nation was the clar- b 

Of martial music, which so proudly rang. 

LXXII. 

Each stimulated soon by grand desire 

Inwraps his limbs in arms well prov'd of old ; 

And soon appears adorn'cl in bright attire, 
Soon all beneath their leaders are inroll'd ; 

All into one well-order'd host conspire, 

And all their banners to the winds unfold ; 

And see the grand imperial standard rise, 

On which the cross triumphant woos the skies ! 

LXXIII. 

Meanwhile the sun, which o'er the heavenly field 
Ever advances, and gains greater height, 

Strikes down upon their arms, and makes them yield 
Bright tremulous flashes which distress the sight ; 

The air seems full of sparks, ever reveal'd, 
And like a conflagration glows with light ; 

And with the haughty neigh accords the sound 

Of rattling steel, and stuns the plains around. 



16 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO I. 

LXXIV. 

The Captain, who from hostile ambush nigh, 

Was anxious to secure his long array, 
Sent many light-arm' d horsemen to espy 

The country round where foe might lurk or stray ; 
And had advanc'd his pioneers to ply 

Their busy task in levelling the way ; 
To fill the hollow, smoothe the rugged hill, 
And ope the barrier' d passes by their skill. 

LXXV. 

No Pagan nation all in arms array'd, 

No wall with fosse profound, no mountain crest, 
No torrent grand, no forest drear in shade, 

Avails at all to stop them from their quest. 
Thus oft, when swoll'n beyond his wonted grade, 

That river which is monarch o'er the rest 
O'ertops his banks with desolating force, 
Nor is there aught which dares oppose his course. 

LXXVI. 

Perchance the King of Tripoli, who had thrown 
Men, arms, and treasure into guarded wall, 

Might have delay'd the Franks, and he alone, 
Yet dar'd he not provoke their martial gall. 

Appeasing them with words of gentle tone, 
And gifts, he gave free passage to them all, 

And took for terms of peace precisely those 

It pleas'd the pious Godfrey to impose. 

LXXVII. 

Here from Mount Seir, which, lofty and supreme, 

Verges upon the city's eastern bound, 
Crowds of the Faithful came, a mingled stream 

Of every age and sex, to the low ground • 
Bore to the victor gifts, marks of esteem, 

Ey'd and convers'd with him, and gaz'd around 
At the strange arms with wonder, and supplied 
The leader with a kind and faithful guide. 

LXXVIII. 

Ever near ocean's flood he leads the host, 

By straightest paths through which it can defile, 

TTell knowing that the friendly fleet would coast 
Along the never distant shores the while : 

By which arrangement all the camp would boast 
Abundant stores ; and every Grecian isle 

To him alone would all its grain resign, 

And Crete and rocky Scio yield him wine. 



CANTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 17 

LXXIX. 

Beneath the load of tall ships and a store 

Of lighter pines now groans the neighb'ring sea, 

So that the Mediterranean waves no more 
Ope to the Saracens a passage free ; 

For besides those from the Venetian shore, 

And Genoan, arm'd by George and Mark's decree, 

Others from Holland, England, France, repair, 

And some from fertile Sicily are there. 

LXXX. 

And these which were in perfect union blended, 
Knit to one will by the most solid band, 

"Well freighted from their several shores attended 
With all things needful for the troops on land ; 

Who having found the frontiers undefended 
By enemies and the passes all unmann'cl, 

Thither by long and rapid marches hie, 

Where Christ endur'd the mortal agony. 

LXXXI. 

But fame, their swifl precursor, bears along 
All rumours true and false, a mingled maze ■ 

That now the victor camp unites its throng, 
That now it moves, nor longer now delays : 

Eepeats how great the troops are, and how strong, 
And of the bravest tells the name, and praise, 

And prowess ; and with dreadful front ippals 

Tli' usurping foe in S ion's lofty walls. 

LXXXII. 

Expected ill, too, is perchance worse ill 
Than e'er the ill when present will appear. 

On each uncertain breath of rumour still 
Hangs every mind suspense, and every ear ; 

And whisperings hurrying in confusion nil 
Within, without, the fields and city drear. 

But that old king, while gath'ring peril gleams, 

Turns in his doubtful heart atrocious schemes. 

LXXXIII. 

Hight Aladin, his cares had constant food, 
Since he was newly Seigneur of this land ; 

A man once cruel, but his savage mood 

Had grown in ripe age subject to command. 

He, when he heard that the wall'd city stood 
In peril of onset from the Latin band, 

Joins to his ancient fear suspicion new 

And dreads his enemies and subjects too. 



18 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO I. 

LXXXIV. 

Because a mingled people who receiv'd 

Opposing creeds dwelt here in mutual hate ; 

The weak and lesser part in Christ believ'd, 
In Mahomet the stronger and the great : 

But when the king had Sion's realm achiev'd, 

And sought to 'stablish there his throne and state, 

He eas'd the burdens which his Pagans bore, 

And made the wretched Christians groan with more. 

LXXXV. 

This thought suffices to arouse with pain 
His native fierceness, put to sleep before 

And chill' d by years, and makes it live again, 
So that it more than ever thirsts for gore. 

Thus virulent returns in summer's train 

The snake which seem'd so mild in winter frore ; 

Thus the tame lion, stung by some offence, 

Eesumes at once its natural truculence. 

LXXXVI. 

" I can perceive," he cried, " the symptoms grow 
Of fresh delight among this faithless crowd ; 

They only revel in the general woe, 

And 'mid the common wailing laugh aloud. 

Perchance e'en now they plot some treach'rous blow, 
How they may best consign me to the shroud, 

Or how in secret ope the gate to those 

Who comrades are to them, to me are foes. 

LXXXVII. 

" But this they shall not do. I will forestal 
Their impious plots, nor keep my rage repress'd. 

I will destroy them — cruelly shall they fall- 
Will stab their babes upon the mother's breast ; 

Burn down their dwellings and their temples all : 
These are the pyres on which their dead should rest : 

And I will offer on that Tomb of theirs 

As victims first the priests amid their pray'rs." 

LXXXVIII. 

Thus with bad heart he reason'd : but the thought, 
So ill conceived, unacted still remain'd ; 

Yet for these innocents 'twas dread that v/rought 
The pardon pity never would have gain'd : 

For if one fear to his resentment brought 
A spur, another stronger far restrain'd ; 

To stop the paths of peace, and dare too far 

The wrath of arms victorious now in war. 



CANTO I. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 19 

LXXXIX. 

The wretch then keeps his maniac rage in bound, 

Yet seeks to vent it haply where he may ; 
Levels the rural dwellings to the ground, 

And gives the harvest to the flames a prey. 
No spot whatever leaves he whole or sound, 

Where Frank may feed or house him on his way ; 
Disturbs each fount and stream, and the pure wave 
Pollutes with poison deadly as the grave. 

xc. 
Cruelly is he cautious, and takes care 

To reinforce Jerusalem meanwhile. 
Three sides already had a strength most rare ; 

Northward alone 'twas fenc'd in weaker style. 
But on the first surmise which rumour bare, 

He strengthen' d this side with a lofty pile ; 
And gather'd there in haste a numerous band 
Of hireling troops with those of his own land. 



20 



CANTO II. 

ARGUMENT. 

O'er the chaste image of the Queen of Heaven 
Ismene now murmurs forth his spell profane ; 

But from their purpose his dark arts are driven, 
Whence Ala din is frenzied with disdain. 

And whilst he bids each Christian life be riven, 
There come to die, and quench his rage insane. 

A maid and youth,, whom then Clorinda saves : 

Argante challenges, exclaims, and raves. 

I. 

One clay Ismene before the savage king 

While bent on arms presents himself alone : 
Ismene, who causes the dead corpse to spring 

From marble vault, and makes it feel and groan ; 
Ismene, whose mutter'd curses even ring 

Through hell, and startle Pluto on his throne : 
Who sends the demons forth on errands ill 
As slaves, and binds and looses them at will. 

ii. 
Once Christian, him now Mahomet delights. 

But oft in uses impious and profane, 
Unable to relinquish the first rites, 

He blends both laws, to him known both in vain. 
He from the cave in which he spends his nights 

O'er unknown arts, far from the vulgar train, 
Comes to his lord, thus menac'd by the war, 
To impious king more impious counsellor. 

in. 
He said, " The dreaded army comes, Sire, 

Victorious, and will be no more delay'd ; 
But do we that which time and tide require, 

Heavn. the whole world, will give the valiant aid. 
Thy zeal as king and leader I admire, 

Far hast thou seen, and large provision made : 
If all shall thus fulfil the tasks they owe, 
This land will soon entomb thine every foe. 



CANTO IT. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 21 

IV. 

" I, for niy part, am come as thine ally, 

In danger and in toil companion trne ; 
All which old age's counsel can supply 

I promise, all which magic art can do. 
The angels exil'd from their homes on high 

I will constrain to share the lahour too. 
But where I would commence the mystic train, 
And in what mode, I will at once explain. 

v. 
" Within the Christians' temple lies a shrine 

Hid underground ; and here the figure is shown 
Of her whom that low people deem divine, 

Mother o' the born and buried God they own. 
Always a lighted torch is made to shine 

On the' image ; over it a veil is thrown ; 
Around it hang the vows in long array 
Brought thither by the dupes who come to pray. 

VI. 

" Xow this their effigy, snatch'd thence by force, 
I wish thee to transport with thine, own hand, 

And lay within thy mosque. Then my resource 
Of magic shall frame spells of pow'r so grand, 

That while it shall be safe there, through time's course 
These gates in fatal safety too shall stand ; 

Thine empire shall remain secure from harm, 

Mid walls impregnable through this new charm." 

VII. 

So spake he, and persuaded him. The king 
Impatient hurried to the House of God, 

And forc'd the priests, and impious dar'd to wring 
The sacred image from its chaste abode. 

And bear it to that fane where vain rites bring 
Down on th' adorers oft the heav'nly rod. 

In place profane, then, o'er the holy prize 

Mutter'd the sorcerer his blasphemies. 

VIII. 

But when the opening dawn in Heav'n appear'd, 
He who was guardian of the unclean place 

Saw not the image where it had been rear'd, 
And, searching elsewhere, found of it no trace. 

Soon he informs the king ; who, having heard 
Such news, betrays hot anger in his face, 

And well concludes some Faithful one has done 

That outrage, though discover'd yet by none. 



22 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CAXTO II. 



IX. 

Whether 'twere furtive work of Faithful hand, 

Or HeaVn itself resolv'd to interpose, 
Scorning that th' image of its Queen should stand 

Within so vile a spot among its foes : 
Whether the work by human art were plann'd, 

Or miracle, still fame uncertain flows : 
But piety demands that man recede, 
And Heav'n be deem'd the author of the deed. 

x. 
The king caus'd every house to be espied 

With importuning search, and every fane ; 
And whosoe'er shonld prove the fact, or hide, 

Him promis'd he reward, or thr eaten' d pain. 
And to find ont the truth the mage applied 

His every art, but every art was vain : 
Whether the work to Heav'n or man be given, 
Spite of his charms 'twas hid from him by Heaven. 

XI. 

When the fierce king perceives the crime hid still 
Which he imputes to the Faithful, higher and higher 

With hate to these his heart begins to fill, 
And bum with an immoderate boundless ire, 

He scorns all laws, and have revenge he will, 
Follow what may, and vent his bosom's fire, 

" ^Ly rage," he said, " shall not be vain : mid all 

His slaughter' d sect the unknown thief shall fall." 

XII. 

■ So that the guilty 'scape not, let the just 
And guiltless perish. Guiltless, do I say ? 

Each one is culpable ; nor can we trust 
One single man among their whole array. 

If sonl sincere be there, suffice it must 

That present pain wash ancient fault away. 

Up ! up ! my faithful ones, to do my will ! 

Away : take flame and steel ! Up ! burn and kill ! " 

XIII. 

Thus spake he to the crowd ■ and fame soon bare 
To all the Faithful tidings of their plight, 

Who remain'd paralys'd in their despair, 

Surpris'd by fear of death now instant quite. 

Xo one of them essay' d excuse or pray'r, 

Nor one adventur'd on defence or flight ; 
Eut whence the nation, wav'ring and dismay 'd, 
Expected least, they found redeeming aid. 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 23 

XIV. 

Among them was a virgin now mature, 

Of lofty beauty, and of regal mind : 
But thought of beauty seems she to abjure, 

Save how with honour it may be combin'd. 
Her worth is greater, for that worth so pure 

Within a home so narrow is confln'd ; 
And from admiring glance, from nattering tone, 
She steals away, neglected and alone. 

xv. 
And yet can no precaution quite conceal, 

A beauty worthy for the world to' admire ; 
Thou'lt not allow this, Love, but wilt reveal 

The vision to some fond youth's warm desire. 
!N"ow blind, an Argus now, now dost thou seal 

The eyes with bands, and now relum'st their fire ; 
Oft through a thousand guardians has thy power 
Sped lover's look to chastest virgin bower. 

XVI. 

Sophronia she, Olindo he, by name, 

One city and one faith includes the pair ; 

He wishes much, hopes little, makes no claim, 
Being as diffident as she is fair : 

Fear keeps his passion unreveal'd, or shame, 
She scorns it, sees it not, or does not care ; 

Thus hitherto the youth has sued the maid, 

Unseen, misunderstood, or ill repaid. 

XVII. 

In the meantime the ominous news was brought 
That fell destruction threaten'd all their race ; 

She, who was generous as modest, sought 

How she might save them in their dreadful case. 

'Tis courage which suggests the mighty thought, 
Then shame and maiden duty arrest its pace ; 

Courage prevails, nay, sweet accord doth hold ; 

Growing asham'd, and shame becoming bold. 

XVIII. 

Alone among the crowd she takes her way, 

Xor does she hide her charms, nor yet expose ; 

Her eyes are fix'd, a veil obscures their ray, 
With mien reserv'd, and noble too, she goes. 

If deck'd or unaclorn'd 'twere hard to say, 
If chance or art that lovely face compose ; 

With her, neglect is .artifice, but given 

By love, by nature, by approving Heaven. 



24 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO II. 

XIX. 

Pass'd on the lofty maid, observ'd by all, 

Observing none, until the king was nigh her ; 
Xor shrank, although she rnark'd his rising gall, 

But fearless bray'd his savage glance, " Sire, 
I come," she said, " meanwhile do thou recall, 

I pray, thy people, and suspend thine ire ; 
I come to announce and yield, already ta'en, 
The culprit whom thy wrath has sought in "^n." 

xx. 
The king, half daunted by her courage rare, 

Half won by charms which, holy thus and proud, 
Flash' d on him sudden as the lightning's glare, 

Rein'd in his ire, and clear' d away its cloud. 
Had there been less of sternness in her air, 

Or in his soul, to love had he been bow'd ; 
Eut wilful beauty has no pow'r to move 
The wilful heart : smiles are the food of love. 

XXI. 

Amazement 'twas, and pleasure, and delight, 
If 'twere not love, that mov'd his villain soul. 

" Tell me, then, all," he cries ; " my faith I plight 
Thy Christian people shall not suffer dole." 

And she : " The culprit, Sire, is in thy sight ; 

It was this hand of mine which wrought the whole. 

I took away the image ; I am she 

Thou seekest, and thy wrath should fall on me." 

XXII. 

Thus did she freely offer her proud head 
To public doom, and woo'd it all alone : 

Magnanimous falsehood ! when shall in thy stead 
A truth as beautiful as thou be shown ? 

Held in suspense awhile the tyrant dread 
Beyond his won't refrain'd from angry tone. 

He then demanded : " Tell me — and take heed — 

Who gave thee counsel, and who shar'd the deed ? " 

XXIII. 

" I would not of my glory yield," she cried, 
" One jot to others, were it e'er so small ; 

Only in mine own self did I confide, 
Sole doer, sole contriver of it all." 

" On thee alone, then," swiftly he replied, 

" The weight of mine avenging wrath shall fall." 

She said : " 'Tis just ; for if alone I gain 

The glory, I alone should bear the pain." 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 25 

XXIV. 

The tyrant here began to swell with ire ; 

" Where hast thon hidden the image? " he demands. 
" I hid not, but consum'd it in the fire ; 

'Twas good to place it on the burning brands, 
For thus at least no profanation dire 

Can wait it now at misbelievers' hands. 
Sire, if the thief thou ask for, look on me : 
But the thing stolen thou shalt never see. 

xxv. 
" And yet no theft was mine, no thief am I ; 

'Tis justice to retake what's wrongly ta'en." 
This heard, the tyrant foam'd out threat'ningly, 

And loos'd his angry passions /rom the rein. 
Let modest heart, rare beauty, courage high, 

Expect not ever to win pardon again ; 
From her sweet charms in vain would Love create 
A shield for her against that cruel hate. 

XXVI. 

The lady is seiz'cl : the king to madness stung, 
Dooms her to death by fire ; already there 

Her veil and modest vest from her are wrung, 
Rough cords are fasten'd on those arms so fair. 

She spake not, and though some emotion sprung 
In that brave bosom, it felt no despair ; 

And her sweet features faded to a hue 

Which was not pale, but dazzling to the view. 

XXVII. 

Hither, the sad case being bruited round, 

The people had mov'cl • Olindo with the throng. 

Doubtful the person, not the doom, he found \ 
The thought 'twas his own lady, rose ere long. 

When he perceiv'd the lovely prisoner bound 
Like one condemn' d, but guilty of no wrong, 

And guards at their inhuman task descried, 

Precipitate he thrusts the crowd aside. 

XXVIII. 

" Slot she, not she, king ! " he loudly cries, 
" Is guilty ; let not her mad boast avail : 

She could not do, nor dare, nor e'en devise 
So great a deed, a maiden lone and frail. 

How cheat the guards 1 How steal the holy prize % 
If she did this, let her tell all the tale. 

Sire, it was I by whom it was remov'd." 

Th' unloving lov'd one, ah ! so much he lov'd ! 



26 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO II. 

XXIX. 

He then subjoin'd : " I thither clomb by night 
Whence thy tall mosque receives the air and day ; 

And introduc'd me through a fissure slight, 
Attempting an impracticable way. 

The honor and the death are both my right, 
Let not her steal my punishments away : 

These chains are mine, for me is lit the fire : 

For me has been prepar'd the funeral pyre." 

XXX. 

Sophronia rais'd her face, and o'er him bent 

Eyes that were bright with soft compassion's tear : 

" Why comest thou ? wretched innocent ! 

What counsel guides, what fury drives thee here *? 

Can I not then, unless thine aid be lent, 

Bear all man's wrath can do howe'er severe ? 

I also have a breast, which for one fate 

Deems 'tis enough itself, and asks no mate." 

XXXI. 

So spake she to the youth, nor him could e'er 
Cause to retract, nor turn his aim aside. 

Grand scene ! where thus at strife a love so rare, 
And virtue so magnanimous are descried ! 

Where death must be the victor's meed, and where 
Deliverance to the vanquish' d will betide ! 

But the king chaf 'd the more, the more the two 

Persistent in their self-impeachment grew. 

XXXII. 

He thinks that he is reck'd of little indeed, 
And that in scorn of him they scorn the pains, 

" Believe them both," he cries, "let both succeed ! 
To yield their due reward it now remains." 

Then nods he to the sergeants, who with speed 

Come forth to bind the young man with their chains ; 

Both were then tied to the same stake, and lay 

Back turn'd to back, and face from face away. 

XXXIII. 

And now the funeral pile is laid around, 

And soon the names by blasting are excited, 

When burst the young man into a dolorous sound, 
And said to her with whom he was united : 

" Are these the ties in which all closely bound 
I hop'd to pass with thee through life delighted ? 

Is this the fire which I believ'd would fill 

The hearts of both with equal ardour still *? 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 27 

XXXIV. 

" Love promis'd different flames and different ties ; 

Our evil fate brings others in their stead. 
Too long, alas ! our union it denies, 

But sternly joins us now that we are dead. 
Since die thou must in this inhuman guise, 

'Tis sweet to share thy pyre, if not thy bed : 
Since by thy side I perish, I repine 
Not at my portion, but alone at thine. 

xxxv. 
" And ! my death, how welcome were the guest, 

My pains, what objects of my fond desire, 
If but to thee united, breast to breast, 

My soul upon thy lips I might expire ; 
If, as we sink together down to rest, 

Thy latest sighs o'er me thou would'st respire ! " 
Thus spake he wailing ; sweetly she replied, 
And in these words softly began to chide : 

xxxvi. 
" Far other thoughts and other griefs, my friend, 

For a far loftier cause the time demands. 
Why not review thy faults ] Why not attend 

To the large prize the good win at God's hands 1 
Suffer in His name, and thy pains will end ; 

Aspire to sit among the heav'nly bands. 
Behold the skies, how fair ! Yon sunny sphere 
Seems to invite us thither, and to cheer." 

XXXVII. 

A wail here from the Pagans loudly peal'd, 
And wail'd in undertones the Faithful too ; 

Something of pity ne'er before reveal'd 

E'en from the king's hard breast emerg'd to view. 

He felt it, and disdain'd it ; nor would yield 
And turn'd his eyes aside, and thus withdrew. 

By thee no part o' the common woe is borne, 

Sophronia ; mourn'd by all, thou dost not mourn. 

XXXVIII. 

WliHe such their risk, a warrior (so she seems) 
Xoble in mien, appears upon the ground ; 

And from her arms and foreign dress one deems 
That she has travell'd from far distant bound. 

The tiger crest, which on her helmet gleams, 
Draws tow'rd it every eye, device renown'd, 

Us'd by Clorinda oft in war ; from this 

They deem that it is she, nor deem amiss. 



i v i :■?. ; vai ; r^ss :». cjlsto n. 

xxx ix. 
She had been wont from childhood to despise 
The habits of her sex as idle chains ; 

A:l:_Lt- ::A.s Lri l.v.:_A:t __-.-__ _ 1A! 
Ea:h s:r: p-.i??vi: :-.l .". -.-/:: : ?p:: ?l~ dies. 

Sin h o i is reserved in the' open plains ; 
She gams her face with pride, and fain wonld learn 

. ^.-^.,. ,. „ , - "— ~ ■*" — ",;.— i — — ■"" ~ " — j ■ .. - --" ■" 

TTiiilr v^: L \n infi^:. vtAl L-ri li::le !.:-:_ I 

She curb'd and loos'd the bit of a prond steed ; 

Hrli sp-r^i :-.i.l ?™::i. izii :n :lt 1-rr-rl s,ini 

Ennr 1 1 hex liml s tc : : il. and tanght them speed ; 

Tien m-i-k'd :1_t -:-.-;._t It:.: :l! li:n l:ll! 

A*:: illillvA pi.lis. :: ~1lt:t tlir ~: : is iroeie. 
>ir ::^:~A ~:-.:> ; .---___ -:i':, in ;::^ pvLTSTdrs 
8 vage to men, a man to savage brntes. 

xl:. 

Hirhfi slt l:~ his ::l:t rr:n PtiAAs ": :ll:I 
T: :ii : — :lt L li:~l:.l A =: — i;li ill Lt: mi^lit : 

Ti;-;;1 :± sLAi siir^n :k:A lAAs ::p:L :lt ^tollI, 
AlI il:1t :;.::; AzAll: : 1 ~::1 :lt ^lvtt unite. 

On -i miTil zi:~ fi-;i2 -- - At ::--::! 
Thepinp :: 1t::l iitStILtI v 1.:: si^i: : 

C::::::- :; — : ni 1t3,:l ~k" :lls 1t::tt:I 

A. 1 . _'in ^ .' n r -". .. — . .^~_t i . i- -i_ri ^.77 ... 

XL". 



She macks his : \rs as if in pity rise, 

Pity, not grie£ or grief for other's wrong ; 
While she, in silence, gazing at the sky, 
Seems severed from the earth, e'en ere she die. 

XLHL 

Clorinda's heart was melted, and the twain 
Ex :ited all her pity and some tears ; 

>lr iAAls :1: n :-:::: :"_' :lt ~~l; 1:-? no: pliin : 
Silence : hex more sad than plaint appears. 

WAlla 1:1.: v A r in' .. Li :: .":. ^~:v1l 

Wh : stoc 1 besi le hex an 1 ~as grey with years : 

"• I IlltLfr. "L! Lr L^r • :l! 7rll Hr. ±'l-rL 1, 

What fete or fault leads them to this sad end!" 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 29 

XLIV. 

She thus entreated him, and he replied 

To the demand in ample words, though few. 

Struck with the tale, she fail'd not to decide 
At once that guiltless were alike the two \ 

And soon resolves her weapons shall he tried, 
As well as prayers, ere shall their death ensue. 

She rushes to the flame, now all preparcl, 

Makes them withdraw it, and bespeaks the guard : 

XLV. 

" Be there not one among you who shall dare 

To follow up this cruel task, hut stay 
Till I address the king ; be it my care 

That he accuse you not for the delay." 
Her royal semblance and majestic air 

Subdue the sergeants, and they all obey. 
Then mov'd she to the king ; and met him speeding 
Along the way which to herself was leading. 

XLVI. 

u Iam Clorinda ; haply not unknown 

My name, king ! " thus did her accents flow : 

" I come to join thee and defend thy throne 
'Lon^ with our common faith against the foe. 

Ready am I for each adventure shown ; 
The high I fear not, nor disdain the low. 

Whether my task in open field thou choose, 

Or in beleaguer' d walls, I none refuse." 

XLVII. 

She ceas'd \ the king replied : " \Vhat region lies 
So far from Asia or the path o'the sun, 

Thou glorious maid, that thither never flies 

The fame and honor which thy deeds have won ? 

Since thy good sword to me its aid supplies, 
I am consol'd, and fears I now have none : 

Xot were a grand host gather'd to ensure 

My rescue, could my hope be more secure. 

XLVIII. 

" To me now far too long does Godfrey seem 
To' arrest his coming. Xow for thy demand 

To be employ' d, I worthy thee esteem 
Only adventures difficult and grand. 

Over our warriors in thy hand shall gleam 
The sceptre, and be law thy least command." 

Thus spake he. Courteous thanks for praise so high 

She gave, and thence continued her reply : 



30 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO 

XLIX. 

" Certes, to make the guerdon to precede 

The service must seem strange ; and yet thy rare 

Indulgence cheers me, and for future meed 
Bestow on me, I pray, this guilty pair. 

A gift I ask them ; yet severe indeed 

Their doom if aught of doubt perplex th' affair : 

But this I press not ; neither do I press 

The signs which prove to me their guiltlessness. 

L. 

" I shall but say that all of you surmise 
The Christians took the image, but I draw 

Conclusion different from yours, nor poise 
My judgment but on reasons full of awe. 

What the magician ventur'd to advise 
Was an irreverence tow'rds our holy law ; 

For 'tis not meet our temples should possess 

Idols at all, and others' idols less. 

LI. 

" Up to Mohammed then I joy to trace 
The miracle ; he wrought it with a view 

To show that 'tis not lawful to debase 
His temples with religion which is new. 

Yes, let Ismene, who wields the charm in place 
Of weapon, attempt all which art can do : 

But with the sword the warrior's might be shown : 

This is our art, our hope be this alone." 

LII. 

Here ceas'd she, and the king, although the spur 
Of pity scarce could turn his wrath aside, 

Wish'd to display his deference for her ; 

Beason persuades him, and her pray'rs decide. 

He answer' d : " Life and freedom I confer : 
To such a pleader nought can be denied. 

Justice or pardon let it be, this pair 

Guiltless absolve I, and if guilty, spare." 

LIII. 

Thus were they loos'd. Olindo's fortune proved 
Most truly blest, whose love could thus inspire 

Like love in a warm heart at last ; who moved 
Away to nuptials from the funeral pyre ; 

'Not only from mere lover became loved, 

But chang'd for Hymen's torch the penal fire. 

He would have died with her ; leave doth she give 

That with her since he dies not, he shall live. 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 31 

LIV. 

But still did the suspicious king opine 

That t' have such virtue near him would bring bale. 
Whence both of them went forth from Palestine 

As he decreed, banished beyond its pale. 
Then drave he, following up his fell design, 

More Christians forth, and some he mew'd in jail. 
Ah ! with what mournful heart did they retire 
From sweetest bed, dear babes, and aged she ! 

LV. 

Hard parting ! For he only chas'd away 
The fierce in spirit and robust in frame ; 

But gentle sex and tender years must stay 
As hostages to answer in their name. 

Some of them wander'd far, some turn'd to bay, 
And fear was master'd by revenge and shame. 

These join'd the Franks, encountering their force 

Just as it reach'd Emmaus in its course. 

LVI. 

Emmaus is a town from which the measure 

Of distance to Jerusalem is small, 
And one who parts at morn and moves at leisure 

Will reach it ere the stroke of nine shall fall. 
! when the Franks hear this, how great their pleasure ! 

! what desire hastens and spurs them all ! 
But as the sun now stoops in his career, 
Their leader makes them stretch the canvas here. 

LV1I. 

E'en now the tents were pitch'd, and in the West 
The sun's all-cheering orb was near the main, 

When two great barons in outlandish vest, 
And of strange mien, are seen upon the plain. 

'Tis clear they seek the Chief on friendly hest, 
For peaceful is each gesture of the twain. 

Ambassadors are these from Egypt's king, 

And round them many a squire and page they bring. 

LVIII. 

Ale the s one was hight, who from the horde 
Of the base populace by birth had sprung ; 

But to the realm's chief honors thence had soar'd 
By a wary, eloquent, and flatt'ring tongue, 

By pliant manners, and wit richly stor'd, 
Prompt to invent, and for deception strung ; 

Grand forger he of calumnies in ways 

Unheard of, that accuse and seem to praise. 



32 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO II. 

LIX. 

The other is nam'd Argante, the Circassian, 
One who to Egypt's court had come unknown, 

But now is made a satrap of the nation, 
And to the highest rank of war has grown ; 

Beckless, inexorable, slave to passion, 
Untir'd in arms, and never overthrown, 

He spurns each God, and on his falchion's blows 

His reason and his law alike repose. 

LX. 

These ask'd an audience, and were led to greet 
In personal presence Godfrey the renown'd : 

In simple dress and on a lowly seat 

Him sitting with his warrior chiefs they found : 

But valour true, though in neglect unmeet, 

Will still shine forth, and with itself be crown'd. 

Small token of respect Argante paid, 

Like a great man whose thoughts elsewhere had stray'd. 

LXI. 

But on his breast Alethes plac'd his hand, 

Inclin'd his head, and down his glance he threw, 

And honor' d him in full in every bland 

And courteous method .which his country knew : 

Then he begins ; and from his mouth expand 
Rivers of eloquence more pure than dew ; 

And as the Franks had learn'd the Syrian tongue, 

Well understood was every word that rung. 

LXII. 

" 0, thou, sole worthy whom a band so dread 
Of famous heroes now should deign to' obey, 

Since well they know they have by thee been led 
To conquest, and thy counsels are their stay ; 

E'en among us thy name, which has been spread 
Beyond Alcides' mark, resounds this day, 

And fame throughout th' Egyptian realms tells forth 

Ee-echoing tidings of thy valorous worth. 

LXIII. 

" To these list all men, be they great or small, 
E'en as to marvels of surpassing height : 

But on my royal master's ear they fall 
Not with amazement only but delight ; 

And oft he joys each passage to recall, 

Loving in thee what others fear and spite : 

Valour he loves, and willingly would draw 

Betwixt you ties of love, if not of Law. 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 33 

LXIV. 

" Urg'd onward by a motive, then, so fair, 

Friendship and peace from thee he asks to-day ; 

And trusts that if your diff'ring faiths may ne'er 
Effect an union, yet your virtues may. 

But since he has been told thou dost prepare 
To chase his friend from his own seat away, 

Through us he fain would, ere new ills ensue 

From this design, unfold to thee his view. 

LXV. 

" His mind is this : if thou content remain 

With so much as thou hast made thine by might, 

Xor shall molest Judaea, but refrain 

From all parts cover'd by his sov'reign right, 

He binds him against all men to sustain 
Thy yet weak state : and if ye two unite, 

"When will the Turks and Persians hope to raise 

Their pow'r to what it was in other days ? 

LXVI. 

" Great things in little time, Sire, hast thou done, 
Which ages will not blot from memory's lore ; 

Armies have been defeated, cities won, 

Fatigues endur'd, unknown paths trodden o'er, 

So that the very tales dismay or stun 

Each province round, and each remoter shore : 

And though thou may'st acquire new realms indeed. 

To' acquire new glory thou wilt vainly speed. 

LXVII. 

•• Thy glory is at its height ; and to retire 

From doubtful wars henceforth becomes thee most : 

For if thou win, thy state alone is higher, 
Nor cans't thou thence a greater glory boast ; 

But if th' event be cross to thy desire, 
Honor and empire won before are lost. 

Bold fools are they who stake, as fortune's lure, 

For small and doubtful gain the great and sure. 

LXV 111. 

" But their advice with whom it much has weigh'd 
That others keep their conquests in the main ; 

And long success in all which ye've essay'd, 
And that most natural wish that fires the brain 

And hottest is in spirits of lofty grade, 
To make the world one tributary train, 

Perchance will cause thee to fly off as far 

From thoughts of peace as others do from war. 



34 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO I 

LXIX. 

" These things will urge thee to pursue the course 
Which has been largely op'd to thee by fate, 

And not lay down this famous sword whose force 
Makes every victory both sure and great, 

Till Mahomet's creed be crush' d without remorse, 
And Asia be reduc'd to a desert state : 

Sweet things to hear, but sweet deceptions too, 

Whence oft extreme discomfitures ensue. 

LXX. 

" But if high passion do not blind thy sight, 
Nor quench in thee the ray of reason clear, 

Thou wilt perceive, where thou resum'st the fight, 
Thou hast no cause to hope, but rather fear : 

For Fortune varies here by turns our plight, 
Sending us now mishap, and now good cheer ; 

And after flights too sudden, and too high, 

Precipitous falls are generally nigh. 

LXXI. 

" Tell me ; if Egypt to thy bane begun 

To move, so strong in counsel, arms, and gold, 

If Turk and Persian and Cassano's son 

Eenew'd the war, what force hast thou inroll'd 

To meet so great a storm, or whither run 
For shelter from a risk so manifold 1 

Perhaps on the bad Greek king thou would'st rely, 

United to thee now by solemn tie. 

LXXII. 

" Greek faith ! What that is no one need explore. 

From one sole treason learn thou the others too • 
]>Tay, from a thousand : for that sum and more 

Of treacherous snares yon race has laid for you. 
Is he, then, who oppos'd your pass before, 

Prompt to risk life for you J Can this be true 1 
Will he who would refuse what all allow, 
An open path, give you his own blood now ? 

LXXITI. 

" But for thine every hope perchance thou cleavest 
To these thy troops who now engird thy seat. 

Whom scatter'd ye have routed, thou believest 
To rout united is an easy feat. 

And yet thy ranks, as thou thyself perceiyest, 
Are greatly thinn'd by wars, and toil, and heat ; ' 

And yet new foes demand increas'd exertion, 

Th' Egyptian blending with the Turk and Persian. 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. o-> 

LXXIV. 

" Xow even when thou reckon' st that the steel 
Rais'd against thee is doom' d by fate to fail, 

We grant thee this, and grant that Heav'n will deal 
Throughout e'en as thyself hast told the tale : 

Hunger will vanquish thee ; ah ! whither steal 
For refuge thence ? what shelter will avail 1 

Against it shake the spear, the falchion draw, 

And feign that vict'ry too obeys thy law. 

LXXV. 

" Th' inhabitants have with a provident hand, 
Burnt up and ravag'd all the plain around, 

And laid the fruit, ere thou hadst reach'd the land, 
Safe within lofty tow'r and walled mound. 

Thou who hast come thus far with courage grand, 
Think how will food for horse and men be found ! 

Thou'lt say the fleet at sea shall aid thee there : 

Depends thy living, then, on blasts of air *? 

LXXVI. 

" Perchance thy fortune rules th' inconstant airs, 
And chains them up, and looses them at will ; 

But will the sea, deaf to all sighs and pray'rs, 
List to thee only, and thy hest fulfil 1 

Have not our tribes, when leagu'd in such affairs 
"With Turks and Persians, means enough and skill 

To furnish fleets, which, when they shall combine, 

Will cope securely with these ships of thine ? 

LXXVIl. 

" A double vict'ry, Sire, thou'lt have to claim 
If thou'rt to win renown from this emprise. 

One loss alone may cause thee deepest shame, 
And damage greater still may thence arise ; 

For if our navy rout thine in the game 
Of battle, then this camp of hunger dies ; 

And if thou art defeated, then in vain 

Thy ships will be victorious on the main. 

LXXVIII. 

" Xow if in such a plight thou still refuse 

Both peace and truce with Egypt's mighty king, 

This thy resolve (let truth her license use) 
With all thine other virtues will not ring. 

But ! may Heav'n in mercy change thy views 
If bent on war, and dilT'rent counsels bring, 

That Asia may respire, from strifes, and thou 

Enjoy the fruits of all thy vict'ries now. 



36 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO II. 

LXXIX. 

" And ye who in distress and danger grave, 

And also in glory, still are at his side, 
Be not deceiv'd by fortune's smile to brave 

]S"ew wars, to which she would provoke your pride : 
But like the pilot o'er the treacherous wave, 

TThose ships into the wish'd-for haven glide, 
Ye now should furl your scatter'd sails at ease, 
Xor trust you further to the cruel seas." 

LXXX. 

Here ceased Alethes : a low murmuring sound 
From all the heroes follow'd speech so bland ; 

And how distasteful that advice was found 

Might well in their disdainful looks be scann'd. 

The Leader turn'd his searching eyes around 
Three or four times, and gaz'd on his own band : 

Then fix'd them on the face of him who stay'd 

Expecting his reply ; and thus 'twas made : 

LXXXI. 

" legate, sweetly for us dost thou blend 
All courtesies to lure, and threats to' affright. 

If thy king love me and my deeds commend, 
I thank him, and his love with love requite. 

Xext to that part wherein thou dost port-end 
That Pagan arms against us will unite, 

I will respond, as ever is my wont, 

With, liberal thoughts and words of open front. 

LXXXII. 

" Know that till now so much we have endur'd 
By sea and land, in bright and gloomy skies, 

Solely that thence access may be procur'd 
To where yon venerable walls arise, 

That having freed them, we with hope assur'd 
May win us grace and merit in God's eyes : 

IS or shall we e'er be loth for end so grand 

To risk our earthly fame, and life, and land ; 

LXXXIII. 

" Since no aspiring avaricious aim 

Spurr'd us to this emprise, and led the way : 

May God in Heaven from our hearts reclaim 
So bad a pest, if e'en in one it stay, 

Nor suffer it to sprinkle and iiiflaine 

"With poisoning sweets, which, while theypanrper. slay ! 

But His right hand which enters hearts of steel 

Gently, and softens them, and makes them feel, 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 6 1 

LXXXIV. 

" This ruov'd us forth at first, this since has led, 
And drawn ns from each danger and each ill, 

Made mountains plain, and dried the river's bed, 
Ta'en heat from summer, ice from winter chill ; 

This makes the Mllovr smoothe its crested head, 
This reins the winds, and loosens them at will : 

Hence 'tis that lofty walls are burnt and burst, 

Hence battled ranks are slaughter' d and dispers'd ■ 

LXXXV. 

" Hence doth our courage, hence our hope proceed, 
Not from our forces wearied out and frail, 

Not from the fleet, nor all the tribes that feed 
On Greece's plain, nor Frankish coats of mail. 

While that shall ne'er desert us in our need, 
Little should we regard what else may fail : 

They who know how it saves and smites, demand 

No other aid when danger is at hand. 

LXXXVI. 

" But when it takes from us its aid away 

Through our misdeeds, or doom reveal'd to none, 

Which of our number will regret to lay 

His limbs where once lay those of God the Son ? 

Yes, we shall die, nor envy those who stay ; 
Shall die, but not die with revenge unwon ; 

Nor shall our fate fill Asia's realms with cheer, 

Nor shall we mourn our death, however near. 

LXXXVII. 

; ' And yet believe not that from peace we fly 
As others fly from war and dread the steel ; 

For we are pleas'd at thy king's amity, 
And no dislike to join him do we feel : 

But whether in his rule Judaea lie, 

Thou know' st ; why shows he for it, then, such zeal I 

Let him not warn us from another's throne, 

And then in peace and joy long keep his own." 

LXXXVIII. 

Thus did he answer, and with sharpest ire 
The answer pierc'd Argante's heart of pride, 

Nor did he veil it, but with lips of fire 

Before the Leader flung himself, and cried : 

" War let him have who doth not peace desire ; 
For never yet were quarrels ill-supplied : 

And peace thou evidently seem'st to shun, 

If by our first advance thou art not won." 



38 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO II . 

LXXXIX. 

His robe then took lie by its edge, and made 

A hollow in t. and holding forth its fold, 
His reas ning in these words he re-essay' d, 

Malignant more than erst, and less controll'd. 
•• S corner of risks, howe'ei with doubts o'erlaid, 

Eoth war and peace within this robe I hold : 
Thine be the choice ; no time hast thon to lose ; 
Advise thee now. and take whiche'er thou choose." 

xc. 
Stirr'd by the savage action and request. 

All shouted "War \ with one concordant cry, 
Not waiting, ere their choice was thus express'd, 

Till then 1 magnanimous Leader should reply. 
That tierce one smooth' d the fold, and shook the vest. 

And said, " To mortal war I you defy," 
With such an impious mien that the barrel door 
Of Janus seenid to ope to close no more. 

xci. 
Seem'd from that fold, when opeiid, to arise 

Fierce hate, and fury with insensate aim, 
And that there glisteiid in his horrid eyes 

Alecto's and Megsera's torch of hanie. 
Such was that great one, p'rhaps, who 'gainst the skies 

TThilome built up the lofty tower of shame, 
And in like posture Babel watch'd him rear 
His mighty front, and threat the starry sphere. 

xcn. 
Then Godfrey added : " To your monarch bear 

Our message, that he come, nor time beguile; 
Fur we accept the war which ye declare, 

And if he come not, soon shall reach the Nile." 
Then he dismissal them with a gentle air, 

And honor'd them with gifts of choicest style. 
He gave Alethes a rich casque, the prey 
Mid other which from Nice he bare away. 

XCIII. 

Argante had a sword with hilt enibost 

And pommel all inlaid with gems and gold 

So finely that the rich material lost- 
Its worth compared with what the labour told. 

Soon as its temper, ornaments, and cost 
He carefully had linger'd to behold, 

He said to Godfrey : " Thou shalt quickly see 

To what good use thy gift is put by me." 



CANTO II. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 39 

XCIV. 

Then soon as he had made his parting bow, 

His comrade he address'd : " Hence on onr ways, 
I tow'rd Jerusalem, tow'rd Egypt thou; 

Thou with next sun, I with the starry rays. 
My pen, or presence, will be useless now 

Whither thou go'st, and win but little praise. 
Take thou the answer : I will not be found 
Receding from the spot where arms resound." 

xcv. 
Th' ambassador is thus become the foe, 

Whether his haste have weighty cause, or slight ; 
He recks not whether he offend, or no, 

The mode of nations and the ancient rite. 
Xo answer stay'd for, he set forth to go 

To the tall ramparts in the friendly night, 
Impatient of delay : nor does he find 
His stay less irksome who remains behind. 

xcvi. 
Twas night, when waves and winds have deep repose, 

And the world seems to be without a sound ; 
The weary tribes whom stormy seas, and those 

Whom liquid lakes, protect in depth profound, 
And those whom dens conceal, or folds enclose, 

And painted birds, in sweet oblivion bound, 
Under the silence which the shade imparts 
Forget their sorrows, and refresh their hearts. 

xcvu. 
But neither Frankish Chief nor Faithful band 

Disrobe for sleep, nor rest in quiet station, 
So strong their wish to see the dawn expand, 

Long object of delight and expectation, 
Which shall conduct them to the city grand, 

Goal of the multitudinous migration : 
And many a time they gaze if ray of light 
Forth issue and illume th' obscure of night. 



40 



CAXTO III. 

AK GUM EXT. 

The Frank treads on tlie soil where Jesns died 
With, bosom frank, bare feet, and hnnible tone : 

He assaults : Clorinda meets Trim : hard to hide 
Erminia'a wonnd from Tancred next is shown. 

Aigante then transfixes Dndon's side, 

Who, mounting heav'nward, leaves his friends to moan. 

Bouillon provides a tomb, and then uptears 

A tall wood, and machines of war prepares. 

I. 

Already had the herald breezes stiirYl. 

To' announce the coming of Aurora fai 
Meanwhile she adorn'd her, and began :: gird 

Roses from Eden round her golden hair ; 
When from the camp which ever gladly hea: 

The call to arms, a deep sound ruurinur'd ere 
The trumpets vet had rung ; and these then smote 
The ear with shriller and more joyous note. 

ii. 
With sweet restraint the prudent Captain guides 

And seconds their desires and strong devotion ; 
Since easier 'twere to turn the rolling tides 

Beside Charybdis from their onward motion, 
Or hold back Boreas when he shakes the sides 

Of Appetmine. and sinks the ships in ocean. 
He marshals, moves them, and controls then pace, 
A swift one, and yet swift with order's trace. 

in. 
Wings to their hearts have all, wings to then feet. 

Nor thence perceive how rapidly they fly : 
But when the sun strikes with increasing heat 

Upon the thirsty lands, and mounts on high, 
Lo 3 with their eyes Jerusalem they greet ! 

Lo. they point out Jerusalem, how nigh ! 
Lo, from the myriad voices of the crowd 
Conjoin VI, •' Jerusalem ' is hail'd aloud ! 



CANTO III. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 41 

IV. 

Thus oft of mariners a hardy hand, 

"Who to search out a foreign shore set sail, 
On douhtful seas and under pole unscann'd, 

Expos'd to treach'rous wave and faithless gale, 
If they at last espy the wish'd-for land, 

Salute it from afar with joyous hail, 
And one to the' other shows it, and meanwhile 
Forgets his journey's perils and its toil. 

v. 
To the intense delight which that first gaze 

Had breath'd so sweetly into every breast, 
Succeeded deep contrition, and displays 

Of love with fear and reverence express'd. 
Their eyes they scarcely now presum'd to raise 

Tow'rd yonder walls, Christ's chosen place of rest, 
Where He had died, where He had been entomb'd, 
Where afterwards His flesh had been resum'd. 

VI. 

Submissive accents, words that are subdued, 
And broken sobs with lamentable sighs, 

From hosts with joy and grief at once imbued, 
Cause a deep murmur on the air to rise, 

Such as is wont to sound in clustering wood, 
If haply through the leaves a strong wind hies ; 

Or as when under rocks, or near the shore, 

The beaten sea sends forth a hoarser roar. 

VII. 

Each foot that paces o'er the path is bare, 
The chiefs' example moving all the rest : 

Each from his head removes the bauble there 
Of silk or gold, the plume or haughty crest. 

Each doffs too from his heart its haughty wear, 
And rains warm pious tears down on his breast ; 

Yet each, as if his plaint had found no vent, 

Thus speaking, is on self-accusal bent : 

VIII. 

" Where Thou, then, gracious Lord, hast left the plain 
With many a sanguine rill besprinkled o'er, 

Shall I not, in remembrance of Thy pain, 
Two living founts of woe to-day outpour ? 

0, heart of ice, why dropp'st thou not like rain 

Through these mine eyes, and weep'st not more and 
more ] 

Why soften'st not, and break'st, heart of stone 1 

If moanless now, for ever thou should'st moan !" 



42 rORQTJATO FASSO. canto hi. 

IX. 

Meanwhile the city warder, who espies 

The fields and mountains from a lofty tower, 
>ces underneath him there the dust arise 

So that a vast cloud seems in the* air to lower : 
That cloud appears to hash upon his eyes, 

As lag with rlames. and with electric power : 
The gleam of brilliant metals marks he then. 
And soon distinguishes the steeds and men. 

x. 
Then cried lie. •• "What a cloud I see suspense 

On the' air ! how its splendour cloth appal? 
Up. up, citizens ! to the defence 

Each quickly arm himself', and mount the wall. 
The enemy is on us :" and intense 

The voice resuni d, •• Take arms and hasten, all 1 
Behold the foe is here ! direct your eyes 
To the dread cloud below, which wraps the skies !"' 

XI. 

The simple children, and the helpless old. 

And crowd of women smitten with despair, 
TTho know not how to smite, or shield to hold. 

Suppliant and sorrowing to the mosques they I ear : 
The rest, of firmer limb, and spirit more held, 

Have snatch' d up arms already, and repair 
Some to the gates, and others to the wall : 
The king goes round, and sees, and cares for all. 

XII. 

He issued his commands, and then retire! 

"Where from between two gates arose a tow 
So that he might be near when need requir'd, 

And scan the liills and plants which thence were lower. 
Err m'rn 'a's presence here he had desir'cl, 

Fair one. who in his court had found a bower 
When Antioch by the Christian host was ta'en, 
And in the siege her father had been slain. 

XIII. 

oleanwhile Clorinda is gone against the Franks 
Foremost of all, though with her many hie ; 

But elsewhere at a secret postern's hanks, 
Prompt for the rescue, stands Argante nigh. 

The generous heroine instigates her ranks 

With words and dauntless air : and thus her cry 

Finos forth. " 'Tis fitting that we should to-day 
yA hope for Asia by a grand essay/ 5 



CANTO III. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 43 

XIV. 

While thus she reason'd, not far off she spied 

A Fraitkish troop conducting rural prey, 
Who having, as is wont, for booty plied, 

To the camp with flocks and herds were on their way. 
She against them, 'gainst her their leader hied, 

When he perceiv'd her course towards him lay. 
Gardo that leader's nam'd, a pow'rful knight, 
But yet not able to resist her might. 

xv. 
He in that fierce encounter to the ground 

Is thrust before the Franks' and Pagans' eyes, 
Which last all shouted, deeming they had found 

Glad omen of the war, a vain surmise. 
She springs upon the others with a bound ; 

And her right hand a hundred hands defies : 
Her warriors follow her through pathways made 
Level by hurtling, open by the blade. 

XVI. 

Soon from the spoiler is redeem'd the spoil, 
And step by step the Prankish troops retire, 

Until they reach a tall hill's loftier soil, 

Whose site supplies the aid their arms require. 

Then, as a whirlwind doth itself uncoil, 
And from the cloud descends aerial fire, 

Good Tancred led, at Godfrey's instant hest, 

His squadron forth, and laid the spear in rest. 

XVII. 

So firmly grasp'd he his great lance, with air 
So fierce the youth came forth, and so elate, 

That looking from on high the king was 'ware 
This was a warrior great among the great. 

He asks of her seated beside him there, 
Who feels her breast already palpitate ; 

" Prom thy long commerce thou canst hardly fail 

To know each Christian, though enclos'd in mail : 

XVIII. 

" Who then is he who mid the battle clang 
In lofty bearing seems without a peer 1 ?" 

To this instead of a reply there sprang 
Unto her lips the sigh, her eyes the tear : 

The breath is hush'd indeed ; the tear-drops hang 
Eestrain'd, and yet not all conceal' d, though near 

A purple ring still ting'd each loaded eye 

Softly, and half gush'd forth the murm'ring sigh. 



44 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO III. 



XIX. 

Then spake she feigningly, and strove to hide 

Under the mask of hate a softer pain : 
" Ah ! well I know him, and, with none to guide, 

Mid thousands should detect that form again : 
For oft I've seen him fill the trenches wide 

With my dear people's blood and drench the plain. 
How cruelly he smites ! wounds from his dart 
Are cureless or by herb, or magic art. 

xx. 
" Prince Tancred he : that he were one day 

My prisoner, and I would not wish him dead, 
But living, that sweet vengeance might allay 

My fierce desires, which crave so to be fed." 
Thus spake she, and the sense a different way 

By him who heard it's cover'd truth was read : 
And with her latest words a sigh was blent, 
And issued forth, refusing to be pent. 

XXI. 

Meanwhile Clorinda to th' encounter hied 
With Tancred, and she laid her lance in rest. 

Each struck the visor : splints flew high and wide • 
And she has lost some of her iron vest : 

For, wondrous blow ! all fast'nings cleft aside, 
Down bounded to the ground her helm and crest, 

And as her golden hairs wav'd in the wind, 

In the mid field a youthful lady shin'd. 

XXII. 

Her eyes flash'd fire, thunder was in their rays, 
Sweet e'en in wrath ; what then, if smile arise ? 

What dost thou think on, Tancred 1 On what gaze ? 
That long-lov'd face, dost thou not recognise ? 

Lo the fair form which set thee in a blaze ! 
So speaks thy heart on which its image lies : 

Lo she whom thou beheldest like a dream 

Bathing her forehead in the lonely stream ! 

XXIII. 

He who at first had heeded not her crest 

And painted shield, now shudder'd at the view : 

She cover'd her fair head as could she best, 
And re-assaulted him ; and he withdrew. 

Wielding his cruel sword, he charg'd the rest, 
But peace with her would none the more ensue, 

Who follow'd threat'ningly, and cried : "Turn back ;" 

And brav'd him to two deaths in one attack. 



CANTO III. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 45 

XXIV. 

The knight, though smitten, smites not in return, 

Nor cares so much to guard, him from the blow. 
As those fair eves and features to discern, 

TThence Love bends his inevitable bow. 
He said within himself, " The stroke I spurn 

"Whene'er descends her mail'd hand as a foe : 
But blows from that fair face on which I gaze 
Xe'er fall in vain, but strike my heart always." 

xxv. 
Though hoping for no pity, in the end 

Eesolves he not to die with love conceal'd ; 
She shall be told her strokes on one descend 

Already trembling, suppliant, and unsteel'd. 
" thou who seem'st," exclaims he, " to expend 

Thy rage on me alone in all the field. 
Retreat we from this melee, and aside 
Our prowess by each other's sword be tried. 

XXVI. 

" My valour thus more clearly will be read 
If thine it equal." She the call obey'cl ; 

And as she car'd not for a helmless head, 

Went dauntless forth, he follow'cl all dismay 'd. 

Already had the heroine fix'd her tread 

For combat firmly, and had wheel'cl her blade, 

When, " Hold !" he cried ; " the battle be deferr'd, 

Until the battle's terms shall first be heard." 

XXVII. 

She stopp'd ; and him did desperate love supply 
At once with courage curing terror's smart. 

•• The terms be," cried he, " since thou dost deny 
All peace to me, that thou pluck out my heart : 

My heart, no longer mine, will gladly die, 
If thou hast but a wish it should depart : 

Long time it has been thine ; 'tis time that thou 

Should st pluck it forth, nor this I disallow. 

XXVIII. 

" Behold these arms I lower, and present 

My breast without defence ; ! why then spare 1 

Would'st have the task made light % I am content 
To doff my mail if thou wilt have it bare." 

Perchance the wretched Tancred would have sj)ent 
More words detailing all his amorous care, 

But here the tramp of Pagans interfer'd, 

And that of his own troops, who now appear'd. 



46 TORQUATO TASSO. 



to ii r. 



XXIX. 

The Syrians driven by trie Christian band 

Eetreated, whether it were fear or art. 
One who pursued, and saw her locks expand 

Before the breeze, a wretch without a heart, 
Behind her back in passing rais'd his hand 

To strike her on her unprotected part ; 
But Tancred shouted, for he mark'd it well, 
And on his sword that stroke descending fell. 

XXX. 

And yet not so but that it partly told, 

And near her fair neck smote her lovely head ; 

Light was the wound, and some few drops there roll'd, 
Tinting her yellow hair with rosy red, 

As brightly sparkling rubies tint the gold 

O'er which by cunning hand they have been spread. 

But then the prince, unable to command 

His rage, rush'd on that churl, and shook his brand. 

XXXI. 

One fled ; the other hurried to pursue 

Enrag'd ; they pass'd like arrow from the bow : 

She stay'd, suspense, and kej)t them both in view 
Ear off, and car'd not after them to go ; 

But with her fugitives she soon withdrew ; 
Then show'd her front, and re-assail'd the foe ; 

Turn'd, and return'd ; now fled, now chas'd away ; 

If chase or flight were her's 'twere hard to say. 

XXXII. 

Thus the huge bull in palisadoed field 

Turns with his horn on the pursuing hounds ; 

They stop, and if for flight he shall have wheel'd, 
Each with, fresh courage to the charge rebounds. 

Clorinda while she flies uprears her shield 

High from behind, and guards her head from wounds ; 

So shelter' d fly they in the Moorish game 

To shun the lanc'd balls' well-directed aim. 

XXXIII. 

Already they had near'd the lofty wall, 

Pursuers and pursued, a surging tide, 
When shouted horribly the Pagans all, 

And backward with a sudden turn they plied, 
And made an ample circuit, so as to fall, 

Eeturning, on the enemy's rear and side : 
Meanwhile Argante mov'd down from the mount 
His squadron to encounter them in front. 



CANTO til. ERUSALEM DELIVERED. 47 

XXXIV. 

That fierce knight issued from his warrior crew, 

For to he first in striking he was fain, 
And whomsoe'er he struck he overthrew : 

And his steed tumbled on a heap of slain. 
But ere his great lance into splinters flew 

Many with that good steed had press'd the plain. 
He draws his sword, and when full falls the blow, 
Ever he slays, beats down, or wounds a foe. 

xxxv. 
By fair Clorinda's emulous falchion died 
One of ripe years e'en then, Ardelio, 
But of untam'd old age, and fortified 

By two tall sons ; yet not secure e'en so : 
Alcander the' elder from his father's side 

Was thrust away by a tremendous blow, 
And Polifernes, who throughout the strife 
Stay'd near him, scarce could rescue his own life. 

xxxvi. 
But Tancred, after he had chas'd in vain 

That villain who possess'd a swifter steed, 
Look'd back and saw his brave troop on the plain 

Too far advanc'd without sufficient heed. 
He saw them hemm'd in, and with alter'd rein 
He spurr'd his courser thither with all speed. 
Xor were they succour'd by himself alone, 
But by that band which meets all dangers known. 

XXXVII. 

'Twas that of Dudon, hight th' Adventurous Band 
Elow'r of the heroes, nerve and strength of the war. 

Binaldo, handsome more than all, and grand 
In soul, precedes them swift as falling star. 

Soon in an azure field Erminia scann'd 

The argent bird, and knew his mien from far, 

And to the king who gaz'd on him ex claim' d ; 

" Lo one by whom each brave one will be tam'd ! 

XXXVIII. 

" Sword such as his but few or none can boast, 
Yet still almost in childhood he remains. 

Were six such others in the enemy's host 

All Syria had been won and wrapt in chains, 

And the most Southern realms and all the coast 
Xext to the East had now obey'd the reins : 

And haply in vain the Nile had hidd'n its head, 

Unknown and distant from a yoke so dread, 



48 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO III. 

XXXIX. 

" Einaldo is he nani'd, and his fierce brand 
Alarms the "walls far more than hnge machine. 

Now turn thine eyes to where I point my hand, 
And mark him who is array'd in gold and green ; 

Dudon is he, the leader of that band 

Adventurous night, for each adventure keen ; 

A warrior of high blood and furnish'd mind, 

Advanc'd in years, in merit not behind. 

XL. 

" Eehold that grand one cover'd all in dun ; 

Gernando he, brother of Norway's king : 
Xo man more proud than he beholds the sun, 

Sole blot which o'er his deeds a shade can fling. 
And yonder two who go so join'd in one, 

And have white robes, white every other thing, 
Are Edward and Gildippe, wedded pair, 
Eenown'd for loyalty and valour rare." 

XLI. 

Thus spake she, and already do they view 
The carnage thicken more and more below, 

Since Tancred and Einaldo have burst through 

The line, though dense with men and arms it show 

And thither next the band of Dudon flew, 
And fearfully from these, too, came the blow. 

Struck by Einaldo down, Argante lies, 

Argante's self, and hardly can he rise. 

XLII. 

Xor had he ris'n, but at that instant roll'd 
The steed of Eertold's son upon the plain, 

And as his foot is crush' d against the mould, 
He needs must stay to drag it forth amain. 

The Pagan troop meanwhile in uncontroU'd 
Disorder to the city flies again ; 

Argante only and Clorinda stood 

As mound and bank to stem the raging flood. 

XL1II. 

Ever in rear they stopp'd th' impetuous tide 
That follow'd them, and made it e'en recede, 

So that with less of damage they now plied 

Their flight who first had fled with all their speed. 

Dudon pursued them with victorious pride. 

And bore down with a thrust of his good steed 

The fierce Tigranes, and with trenchant wound 

Caus'd him to tumble headless to the ground. 



CANTO III. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 49 

XL1V. 

Algazzar's hauberk stood him in no stead, 

Though fine, nor stout Corbano's pow'rful crest, 

For on the nape and back he struck them dead, 
His weapon cleaving to the face and breast. 

And by his hand, too, from its sweet home tied 
Amurath's soul, and fierce Almansor press'd 

The earth, and Mahomet, nor could the great 

Circassian move secure from the same fate. 

XLV. 

Argante foams within him ; and yet stays 
At times, and turns, yet then recedes again : 

At last so suddenly he wheels and lays 
A blow upon his side with force so main, 

That mid the vital parts the iron plays, 

And the Frank leader by that stroke is slain : 

He falls, and stern repose and iron sleep 

Oppress those eyes which scarce can open keep. 

XLVI. 

Thrice did he raise them, longing to behold 

The heav'n's sweet rays ; and on one arm he rose ; 

And thrice fell back, and a dark veil was roll'd 
Before his eyes which, tir'd at last, would close. 

His limbs dissolve, and, sprinkled o'er with cold 
And ghastly deathdrops, stiffen to repose. 

The fierce Argante does not deign to stay 

O'er lifeless corpse, but hurries on his way. 

XLVII. 

And yet though his retreat was never slack'd, 
He fac'd the Franks, and, " Cavaliers," he cried, 

" This very sword, now stain'd with blood and hack'd, 
Is that which yesterday your lord supplied : 

Inform him (he will gladly learn the fact) 
To what good end to-day it has been plied ; 

For that so good a trial as this should tell 

The worth of his fair gift must please him well. 

XL VIII. 

" Tell him that he may now expect to see 
In his own bowels proof of it more sound ; 

And since he hurries not to cope with me, 

I come unlook'd for where he may be found." 

Stung by his words, put forth with savage glee, 
Eagerly tow'rd him all the Christians bound ; 

But with the rest he has already flown 

To where the rampart lifts the sheltering stone. 

E 



50 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO III. 



XLIX. 

From that tall rampart the defenders sent, 
Thick as a hail-storm, many a stony ball, 

And quivers that could scarce be number'd lent 
So many arrows to the bows, that all 

Perforce the Franks were stopp'd in their ascent, 
And every Saracen drew within the wall. 

But having dragg'd his foot from his fall'n steed, 

Hither Einaldo had now come with speed. 

L. 

He came a signal vengeance to demand 
For Dudon slain by barbarous homicide, 

And, having join'd his feres, " Why loit'ring stand 1 
And what detains you here ?" he fiercely cried : 

Why haste not onward with avenging hand, 

Since that brave lord is dead who was our guide ? 

Shall, on so grave occasion for our wrath, 

A fragile wall, then, turn us from our path ? 

LI. 

"Not if of double steel, or adamant, 

This masonry impenetrable arose, 
Within that fence should fierce Argante plant 

Himself secure from your tremendous blows. 
On to th' assault !" Then, knightly militant, 

Utt'ring no more, before the rest he goes ; 
For the secure head of the hero fears 
Nought from a cloud of stones or storm of spears. 

LII. 

He, shaking his grand head, lifts up his face 
Full of such dreadful courage as to thrill 

The hearts of those e'en in that walled space 
With icy fears, unfelt in former ill. 

While some he threats, and some with words of grace 
Encourages, one comes to thwart his will, 

For Godfrey sends to them the good Sigier, 

Of all his hests the messenger severe. 

LIII. 

He blames in his name their excessive fire, 
And orders that at once they shall retreat ; 

" Return," he said to them, " since for your ire 
Nor is the place, nor is the season meet. 

Godfrey commands you thus." At such desire 
Einaldo stay'd, who had fann'd the others' heat, 

Although he fretted inly, and reveal' d 

More than one sign of anger ill-conceal'd. 



CANTO ill. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 51 

LIV. 

The troops return ; and not a foe descends 
To trouble their return, though slow and late. 

And on the corpse of Dudon there attends 
Unstinted the last funeral pomp and state. 

Upon the pious arms of faithful friends 

They bear him forth, a dear and honor' d weight. 

Meanwhile the Bouillon from a lofty part 

Examines the strong city's site and art. 

LV. 

Jerusalem plac'd upon two hills is seen 

Of height unequal, and turn'd face to face ; 

A valley interposing sinks between, 

And severs one from the other by its trace. 

Three sides, without, present a lofty screen ; 
The other has an almost level base ; 

But at the flatter part, which northward lies, 

For more defence the loftiest walls arise. 

LVI. 

Within the city, reservoirs for rain 

Abound, and living lakes and fountains gleam 

Without, the eye looks round for herb in vain, 
And barren is the land of fount or stream : 

Nor is it seen there proudly to sustain 

Tall nourishing trees to ward the heat supreme, 

Save that, two leagues beyond, a forest towers 

Horrid and dark with baleful shades and bowers. 

LVII. 

Bounding it on the side where dawn is trac'd, 
The happy Jordan's noble waves are roll'd ; 

And by its Western coast, a sandy waste, 
The Mediterranean billows are controll'd ; 

Samaria is Xorthward, and Beth-el which plac'd 
An altar to the idol calf of gold : 

And whence the South wind brings the rain-cloud forth, 

Lies Bethlehem, cradle of the mighty Birth. 

LVIII. 

While Godfrey thus inspects the mural line, 
The site of the grand city, and the plain, 

And ponders where to' encamp, and whence design 
Assault on the hostile wall with most of gain, 

Erminia sees him, and to Aiacline 

She points him out, and thus resumes her strain : 

" See Godfrey in the purple mantle there, 

Him with so kingly and august an air. 



52 TORQUATO TASSO. CAMTO III. 

LIX. 

" For empire truly born, well doth lie know 
Both how to reign, and how to hold command ; 

Nor worse as knight than leader is. I trow ; 
But in both parts of valour is he grand : 

Nor mid the crowd so ample could I show 
A man more wise of head, or prow of hand : 

In counsel Raymond only, and in fight 

Binaldo and Prince Tancred, reach his might.'' 

LX. 

The Pagan king replied : (; I know his fame 
And saw him at the mighty court of France, 

"When thither Egypt's messenger I came, 

And saw him in the tourney wield the lance : 

And though his downless cheeks might then proclaim 
His tender years had made but small advance, 

Yet still his words, his actions, and his air, 

Gave presage ever of a hope most rare. 

LXI. 

" Presage, alas ! too true ! " He here inclin'd 
His troubled brows, then lifted them, and cried : 

" Say who is he whose upper vest is lin'd 
With scarlet yonder there at Godfrey's side ? 

what resemblance in his mien I find, 
Though somewhat less his stature be descried !" 

" 'Tis Baldwin,"' said she ; " in his face one reads 
The brother, more so in his noble deeds. 

LXII. 

" Upon his other flank one seems to be 

In th' act of counsel \ thither bend thy sight : 
'Tis Baymond to whose prudence I decree 

Such lofty praise, his hairs already white : 
Nor Frank, nor Latin, better knows than he 

To weave the military fraud aright. 
But see beyond him there with helm of gold 
The British king's son William, good and bold. 

lxiii. 
" With him is Guelph, one emulous to dare 

The noblest deeds, of lofty blood and state : 
Well do I know him by his shoulder square, 

And by his chest so rounded and elate. 
But still can I discern not anywhere, 

Although I search for him. the foe I hate, 

1 speak of Boemond. him who is the base 
And fell destroyer of my kingly race." 



CANTO III. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 53 

LXIV. 

So parley'd these. The Chief who had gaz'd around 
Descended to his own ; and since in vain 

He deems would all assault be where the ground 
Ascends the most abruptly, he is fain 

To' erect the tents against the northern bound 
And gateway, on the broad contiguous plain : 

And thence proceeding, plants the rest as far 

As underneath the tow'r call'd Angular. 

LXV. 

By this extent of camp there is contained 
A third part of the town, or less indeed : 

Since all around it could not thus be chained, 
So far does the vast range of wall proceed. 

But every road by which it could have gained 
Assistance Godfrey tries at least to' impede, 

And seizes every opportune defile 

By which one nears or quits the mural pile. 

LXVI. 

He orders that the tents be fortified 

With palisadoes, and with fosse profound, 

To check the citizens' sallies from inside, 
And on the outside inroads from around. 

But when these needful works had been supplied, 
He wish'd to see the corpse of the renown'd 

And gallant Dudon : thither hence he sped 

Where sad and tearful groups begirt the dead. 

LXVII. 

His faithful friends adorn'd the mighty bier 
With noble pomp where loftily 'twas hung. 

When Godfrey enter'd, a lament more drear 

And clamorous from the crowd of mourners rung. 

But still with features nor disturb' d, nor clear, 
The pious Bouillon rein'd his grief and tongue : 

And having gaz'd awhile in thoughtful guise 

O'er the departed knight, at length he cries : 

LXVIII. 

" To thee no tears are due, no voice of wail, 

For thou, though dead to us, re-liv'st in Heaven, 

And here where thou putt'st off thy mortal veil, 
Deep impress of thy glory hast thou driven. 

Thou liv'dst a Christian knight, nor did'st thou fail 
To die such : now thou joyest, and 'tis given, 

Blest soul, to thee to feed on God thine eyes, 

And have of thy good deeds the crown and prize. 



54 TOKQUATO TASSO. CANTO III. 

LXIX. 

" Yes, thou art blest ! our own misfortunes claim. 

And not thy fate, the tears which we may pour, 
Since at thy flight, so worthy of thy fame, 

A part of us along with thee pass'd o'er. 
But if this death, to use the vulgar name, 

Bids us expect an earthly help no more, 
Celestial help for us thou canst obtain, 
Since Heav'n receives thee in its chosen train. 

LXX. 

" And as we've seen thee battling in our plea 
With mortal arms, subject to mortal hour, 

Thee, spirit divine, no less we hope to see 
Wield for us weapons of celestial pow'r. 

Learn to receive the vows we address to thee, 
And succour us whene'er misfortunes low'r : 

Thence bode I vict'ry ; and triumphant so, 

We'll pay thee at yon shrine the vows we owe." 

LXXI. 

So spake he, and already the dark night 

Had all exhausted each diurnal ray, 
And with the' oblivion of all care and spite 

Made tears and lamentations pass away. 
But Godfrey deeming that to' assail the might 

Of walls without machines were vain essay, 
Thought whence he should have beams, and how devise 
His instruments : and scarce he clos'd his eyes. 

LXXII. 

Up with the sun, himself in person chose 
To follow the long pomp with funeral pace, 

Of odoriferous cypress they compose 

A tomb for Dudon at a mountain's base, 

Near to the palisades ; a palm tree throws 

Its tall and spreading branches o'er the place : 

Here was he laid : meanwhile a priestly train 

Sang requiem to his soul with mournful strain. 

LXXIII. 

The branches on all sides were with th' array 
Of divers flags and captur'd armour hung, 

Which erst upon some more auspicious day 

From Syrian tribes and Persians he had wrung : 

To the huge trunk of the tall palm midway 
His cuirass and his other mail was strung ; 

Then it was writ there : " Dudon slumbers here : 

Him loftiest champion of the Cross revere." 






CANTO III. JEKUSALEM DELIVERED. 55 

LXXIV. 

But when the tender Bouillon had gone through 
The pious work blended with so much pain, 

He sent forth to the forest the whole crew 
Of sappers guarded by a pow'rful train. 

'Twas hidd'n in valleys, and the Christians drew 
Their knowledge of it from a Syrian swain. 

They go to cut mechanic engines thence 

'Gainst which the city should have no defence. 

LXXV. 

One spurs the other on with emulous call, 
And in the woods unwonted waste is made. 

Dissever'd by the trenchant steel, there fall 
The sacred palm, the ash in sylvan glade, 

The cherry, larch, and cypress funeral, 

Tall pine, dense holm, and beech imbrown'd in shade, 

And married elm, on which the vine relies 

And mounts with twisted foot up to the skies. 

LXXVI. 

One smites the yews, another smites the oaks 

Which had a thousand times their leaves renew'd, 

And had full oft unmov'd withstood the strokes 
Of winds, and stopp'd them in their angry mood : 

And others pil'd upon the groaning spokes 
Wild ash and cedar with sweet scent imbued. 

Scar'd by the sound of arms, and cries of men, 

The bird forsook its nest, the beast its den. 



56 



CANTO IV. 

ARGUMENT. 

By blast of horrid trump Hell's king requires 
The presence round him of th' infernal swarm, 

And 'gainst the arms which God loves and inspires 
Arms and unchains them all in varied form. 

He next employs to' effect what he desires 
Armida's arts, and beauty's luring charm : 

She tempts the chiefs, and Grodfrey, but in vaia ; 

His heart is sound and owns no lust insane. 

I. 
While these wrought many a warlike instrument 

For such they needs must put to use ere long, 
The grand foe of the human nations bent 

His livid eyes against the Christian throng ; 
And seeing them on prosperous works intent, 

Bit both his lips, impell'd by fury strong ; 
And like a wounded bull then sought relief 
By pouring forth in roars and sighs his grief. 

ii. 
Thenceforward having turn'd his every thought 

How to bring down on them the last of woes, 
He bids his people be together brought 

(Fell senate !) where his kingly palace rose ; 
As if, ah fool, 'twere enterprise unfraught 

With danger to resist what God's will chose ! 
Fool, who would equal Heav'n, nor understand 
How thunders roll from God's indignant hand ! 

in. 
The hoarse sound of the hellish trumpet calls 

The tenants of th' eternal shades around ; 
The dark caves tremble through their spacious halls 

And at that roar doth the blind air rebound : 
Never with crash so great the thunder falls 

From Heav'n's supernal regions to the ground \ 
With shock so dread the earth is never rent 
When vapours in her labouring womb are pent, 



canto IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 57 

IV. 

Soon do Hell's gods in many a varied band 

To the tall gates from all around repair. 
what strange forms, and horrible, expand ! 

How do their eyes with death and terror glare ! 
Some with the track of beasts imprint the sand, 

And human brows have twisted snakes for hair • 
Each plies a tail behind him, vast and long, 
Which coils itself, and uncoils, like a thong. 

v. 
Here thousands of foul Harpies may you mark, 

Thousands of Centaurs, Sphynxes, Gorgons pale • 
Innumerable voracious Scyllas bark, 

And Hydras hiss, and Pythons whistling wail. 
Chmiaeras vomit forth their ashes dark ; 

And Polyphemes and Geryons dread prevail : 
And in new monsters, now nor seen, nor known, 
Are diverse forms confus'd and blent in one. 

VI. 

Some to the right, some to the left had wheel' d 

To sit before the cruel king in state ; 
Mid them sat Pluto, and his right hand held 

The sceptre rugged and of awful weight. 
Nor ocean rock, nor crag o'er the' Alps reveal'd, 

Nor Calpe mounts so far, nor Atlas great, 
As not to seem mere hills when he was nigh, 
So rais'd he his huge front and horns on high. 

VII. 

A horrid majesty made still more dread 
His savage aspect, and enhanc'd his pride ; 

His eyes were bloodshot and with venom spread, 
Their gleam was that of stars which ill betide ; 

A beard inwrapt his chin, and, downward shed 

O'er his rough breast, grew bristling, dense, and wide : 

And like th' unfathom'd whirlpool in the flood, 

Gap'd his huge mouth befouTd with purple blood. 

VIII. 

As rush the fumes of sulphur, and of fire, 
From Mongibello, the foul air, the crash ; 

So from his savage mouth dark blasts expire, 
So the stench issues, and the sparkles flash. 

While he was speaking, Cerberus' bark of ire 
Surceas'd ; the Hydra became mute ; the plash 

Died on Cocytus while its depths were stirr'd ; 

And in these accents the dread peal was heard : 



dS toequato tasso. 



CA>"TO IV. 



IX. 

" Princes of Hell, more worthy to remain 

Above von sun whence ye derive your birth, 
Whom grand mischance with me from happier reign 

Down to this horrible den has hurtled forth, 
That Other's ancient fears and fell disdain 

Are known too well, and our emprise of worth : 
Xow rules He at His will the starry poles, 
And we are sentenc'd as rebellious souls. 

x. 
" And in the place of day serene and pure, 

Of the bright golden sun. and starry quire, 
He has niur'd us here in this abyss obscure, 

Xor wills that to our primal rank we' aspire : 
And then (how hard the thought is to endure ! 

This is what adds more torment to the fire !) 
He summon d man to the fair seats of day, 
Vile man produc'd on earth from vilest clay. 

XI. 

" Xor this sufrlc'd Him : but in keener hate 
Tow'rcl us, He gave His Son to death a prey ; 

Who came and burst through the Tartarean gate. 
And dar'd to tread the realm where we have sway, 

And thence draw souls which were our due by fate, 
And carry the rich prize to Heav'n away. 

Triumphant conqueror, and in scornful mood 

Unroll" d the banners there of Hell subdued. 

XII. 

" Eut why in words my griefs again unfold 1 
By whom are not our wrongs already heard ] 

And in what part, and when, was it e'er told 
That His accustom' d projects were deferr'd] 

We should no more go pondering on the old, 
But by our present wrongs we should be stirr'd. 

Do ye not yet perceive how He essays 

To make the world Him only serve and praise ? 

XIII. 

'• Shall we drag on in sloth the day. the hour. 

Xor let some worthy care our hearts inflame ? 
And suffer that His faithful people's pow'r 

In Asia spread with ever widening aim. 
And yoke Judaea ? that His fame shall tow'r 

Still higher, and be further stretch' d His name. 
Ee sound in other tongues, in other tones 
Be sung, and carv'd upon new bronze and stones ] 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 59 

XIV. 

" That down to the' earth our idols shall be thrown'? 

Our altars by the world to Him be turned 1 
That offerings shall be made to Him alone, 

To Him be gold and myrrh brought, incense burned 1 
That where no fane that shut us out was known, 

lN"o opening for our arts be now discerned 1 
That there shall fail of souls our wonted share, 
And Pluto dwell in realms left wholly bare ] 

xv. 
" Ah ! let it not be true ; for still the same 

Your valour shines with unextinguish'd ray, 
As when, begirt with steel and lofty flame, 

We warr'd long since against the heav'nly sway. 
True, in that strife no vict'ry could we claim ; 

Yet fail'd we not our virtue to display ; 
Success attended on the luckier pow'rs, 
The glory of courage unsubdued was ours. 

XVI. 

" But why detain you more ? comrades true, 
Speed forth, pow'r, and pillars of my reign : 

Speed quickly forth, and those accurs'd subdue, 
Before that they recruit their strength again ; 

Quench this increasing flame ere it can strew 
O'er all the Hebrew realm its deadly bane : 

Enter among them, and have now recourse 

To treach'ry for their damage, now to force. 

XVII. 

" Let what I will be fate : be some dispers'd 
Far wand'ring ; others perish on that soil ; 

Others, in love's lascivious cares immers'd, 
Make idols of a sweet look and a smile : 

The leader by his rebel troops be pierc'd, 
And them let factions and disputes embroil : 

Perish the camp, and sunk in ruinous waste, 

Each trace of it be with itself effac'd.' , 

XVIII. 

The spirits who war on God delay not e'en 
Until these words are carried to an end ; 

But flying forth to view the starry shene 

Once more, from the profound of night they wend, 

Like turbid storms which whistling shrill and keen 
Come forth out of their native caves to blend 

The skies in darkness, • and to carry war 

O'er the wide realms of earth and seas afar. 



60 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO IV. 

XIX. 

Unfolding their broad vans on various ways 

These quickly through the world were scatter'd wide ; 
And fabrics of deceit began to raise 

Diverse and new ; and all their arts they plied. 
But thou, Muse, say in their first essays 

What ill they wrought the Christians, from what side : 
Thou know'st ; but hardly of that work of crime 
Fame's feeble breath has reach' d our distant time. 

xx. 
The famous Idraote, a noble mage, 

Rul'd o'er Damascus and the cities round : 
Who read the dark arts from his earliest age, 

And more and more delight in them had found. 
But what the gain if he could ne'er presage 

Of that uncertain war the final bound, 
Xor phase of stars, or fix'd or wand'ring, tell 
The truth beforehand, nor response of hell 1 

XXI. 

He judg'd (ah, human mind, how blind art thou ! 

How vain are all thy judgments, and how cross !) 
That for th' unconquer'd Western army now 

Heav'n was preparing death, or ruinous loss : 
Whence deeming Egypt would adorn its brow 

With vict'ry's noblest laurels, and engross 
Large conquests, he desir'd his state should claim 
A portion of the spoil and of the fame. 

XXII. 

But since the Prankish valour stands confess'd, 
The dread of bloody victory loads his mind, 

And schemes he how the Christian pow'r may best 
Be first in part diminish' d or disjoin' d, 

And thus with greater ease may be oppress'd 
By his and the Egyptian state combin'd. 

The Fiend arrives while he is pondering o'er 

This thought, and stimulates and pricks him more. 

XXIII. 

He counsels him, and ministers each mode 
Which can facilitate the dark emprise ; 

He has a niece on whom the East bestow'd 
For her consummate beauty the first prize : 

To her are known all frauds with ravell'd node 
By witch or woman us'd, all flattering lies ; 

This lady calls he to him, and lets her share 

His counsels, and requests here all her care. 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 61 

XXIV. 

•" lov'd one," cried he, " who beneath thy braid 
Of golden hair, and looks of gentle glee, 

Hast hoary sense and manly heart inlaid, 
And e'en in mine own arts snrpassest me, 

Grand projects I revolve, and if thon aid, 
Th' effect responsive to the hope will be : 

"Weave thon the web of which I show the plan, 

The daring agent of a wise old man. 

XXV. 

" Go to the hostile camp, and there expend 
All female arts which can attract regard : 

Be bath'd with tears, and sweet entreaties blend : 
Thy words with sighs be broken off and marr'd : 

Let beauty, weeping and dejected, bend 
To thy desire all hearts however hard : 

A veil of shame throw o'er thy courage high, 

And make the robe of truth conceal the lie. 

XXVI. 

" If possible catch Godfrey with the bait 

Of sweetest looks and winning words that burn, 

So that as one enamour'd he may hate 
The war begun, and to prevent it yearn. 

Lure, if not him, such others as are great, 

And lead them whence they never may return. 

Distract their counsels then." At last he saith, 

" All's lawful for one's country, and one's faith." 

XXVII. 

Armida proud of her enchanting grace, 

And of the gifts her sex and age can boast, 

Obeys him ; and with evening's primal trace 
Sets out by paths which are retir'd the most : 

And hopes to conquer in her curls and lace 
L'nconquer'd peoples and an armed host. 

But of her parting various tales are first 

Among the vulgar artfully dispers'd. 

XXVIII. 

After not many days the damsel fair 

Arriv'd at where the Frankish tents were spread. 
A murmur rose when charms so new and rare 

Appear'd, and tow'rd her every glance was sped, 
E'en as to where a comet or a star, 

Beheld no more by day, shines overhead. 
And all draw nigh to. see the lovely dame, 
Ask who the stranger is, and why she came. 



62 T0RQUAT0 TASSO. CANTO IV. 

XXIX. 

Never did Cyprus, Delos, nor ail Greece, 

View forms of beauty or attire so dear. 
Her golden hairs now shine with sweet caprice 

Through the white veil, and now disclos'd appear : 
Thus oft the sun, when skies resume their peace, 

Now through the light cloud beaming, looks less clear, 
Now from the cloud emerging, darts his ray 
tlndimm'd around, and multiplies the day. 

XXX. 

The breezes make new curls in her loose hair 
Which nature's self had into wavelets thrown ; 

Her grudging glance is self-collected e'er, 

And thus conceals love's treasures and its own. 

Sweet rosy hues upon that face so fair 
Amid its ivory are confus'd and strown ; 

But in the mouth, whence amorous breathings gush, 

Unblended and alone the roses blush. 

XXXI. 

Her lovely bosom shows its naked snows, 

Which nourish and awaken love's warm fire : 

Part of her young unripen'd breast she shows, 
Part hides beneath her envious attire : 

Envious, but if the path of sight it close, 
Yet it arrests not amorous desire, 

Which, not content with outward beauty, pries 

Within too where each hidden secret lies. 

XXXII. 

As through the water, or the ice, a ray 

Will traverse, and not cleave the substance through, 
So through the fasten'd robe thought makes its way, 

Too bold, to parts forbidden to the view : 
There roams at large, and there delights to stay 

And contemplate in turn such wonders new ; 
Tells and describes them then to the desire, 
And in it makes more vivid its own fire. 

XXXIII. 

On through those eager crowds Arrnida hied, 
Prais'd and admir'd, and well was 'ware of all, 

Yet show'd it not, though in her heart she joy'd, 
And thence hop'd high success, and prey not small. 

While pausing somewhat she requests a guide 
To lead her to the Captain's tented hall, 

Eustace approach'd her, brother of the most 

High sovereign prince who led the mighty host. 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 63 

XXXIV. 

As moth does to the light, himself he turned 
To the full splendour of her charms divine ; 

And from a nearer spot those eyes discerned 
Which modest act made sweetly to decline : 

From these he caught a mighty flame, and burned 
As fuel does if spark too near it shine ; 

And by his youth and heat of love made bold, 

He ventur'd such discourse as this to hold : 

XXXV. 

" lady, if I rightly name thee so, 

For thou art like unto no earthly sight, 

And on no child of Eve does Heav'n bestow 
So large a portion of its tranquil light : 

What dost thou seek % whence come 1 and whither go ? 
What hap of thine, or our's has led thee aright 1 

Instruct me who thou art ; give me the lore 

To honor thee, and, if 'tis reason, adore." 

XXXVI. 

She answers liim : " Thy praises mount too high ; 

Xor can our merit to that pitch arrive : 
Xot merely mortal creature, Sir, am I, 

But dead to joys, to grief alone alive. 
Hither my sad misfortune makes me hie, 

A maid, a stranger, and a fugitive : 
To Godfrey I appeal, in him confide ; 
The rumours of his goodness spread so wide. 

XXXVII. 

" Procure that to the Chief I be convey'd, 
If thou hast kind and courteous soul indeed." 

And he : " One brother well may give thee aid 
To find the other, and thy cause may plead. 

Xot vainly thou appeal'st, beauteous maid ; 
With him not meanly will my favour speed : 

Count as thine own, whate'er the gifts implor'd, 

All that avails his sceptre, or my sword." 

XXXVIII. 

He ceas'd, and led to where the Chief, secure 
From crowds, now sat amid the grander peers. 

She reverent bow'd, and then asham'd to' endure 
His presence, spoke no word that reach'd the ears. 

But here the warrior hastes to re-assure 
And to console her blushes and her fears : 

So that at last her artful tale commences 

In tones of sweetness that entrance the senses. 



64 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO IV. 

XXXIX. 

" Unconquer'd prince," she said, " whose mighty name 
Flies forth adorn'd with a renown so bright, 

That provinces and kings as glory claim 

To have been by thee subdued and tam'd in fight, 

Thy valour is throughout well known to fame, 
And as it fills with wonder and delight 

Thy very foes, so by it thy foes are made 

To trust and seek thee, and implore thine aid. 

XL. 

" I who was born in such a diff'rent creed, 

Which thou hast humbled, and would'st now oppress, 

Hope that through thee I shall regain with speed 
The sceptre of my sires, and fit redress. 

And if from kinsmen others in then need 
Ask help against the stranger's mad excess, 

I, finding pity has in them no place, 

Invoke the hostile steel on mine own race. 

XLI. 

" Thee I invoke, thee trust ; in thee it lies 
To lift me to due height from this deep woe. 

Nor should thy right hand ever less devise 
How to raise others than to lay them low : 

Isot doth compassion win a meaner prize 
Than that won by a triumph o'er one's foe. 

If thou hast made the realms of others thine, 

Earn equal glory by restoring mine. 

XLII. 

" But if our differing faith should weight the scale, 
And make thee scorn, perchance, my virtuous pray'r, 

My strong faith in thy pity must prevail ; 
And to delude that faith will seem unfair. 

Witness that God whom all the nations hail, 
That juster aid to none thou gavest e'er ! 

But that thou may'st know all, now hear me tell 

My own mishaps, and others' frauds as well. 

XLTII. 

" The daughter I of Arbilan ; who reign' d 
O'er fair Damascus, and was born less great, 

But fair Cariclea as his bride he gain'd, 

Who chose him heir of all her royal estate. 

This lady by her death almost restrain'd 
My birth, expiring at the self-same date 

At which I left her womb : I first drew breath 

On the same fatal day that brought her death. 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 6$ 

XLIV. 

" But scarce had pass'd one lustre from the day 
On which her soul from mortal veil was riven, 

When my dear sire, snatch'd by his fate away, 
Was re-united to her, perhaps, in heaven, 

Me leaving and the state to a brother's sway, 
To whom his love had been so truly given, 

That if affection dwell in mortal mind, 

True faith he there might have been sure to find. 

XLV. 

u When this man his great office comes to bear, 
Such zeal for all my int'rests he displays, 

That for unblemish'd faith, paternal care, 
And vast affection, he obtains the praise : 

Whether he hid ill thought within, and ware 
A different garb outside ; or in those clays 

He still had honest views, because he had plann'd 

That in due time his son should seek my hand. 

XL VI. 

" I grew, and grew his son ; but style of knight 
And noble arts the caitiff never learn'd ; 

In nought of foreign did he take delight, 

In nought of gentle ; from high things he turn'd : 

A soul of meanness in a form of fright, 

And in proud heart all greedy passions burn'd ; 

In actions rough, in manners such that none 

Except himself could be his paragon. 

XLVII. 

" Xow my good guardian fix'd that I should wed 

A man. thus worthy to be entertained, 
And make him consort of my throne and bed ; 

And several times his wish was well explained. 
His tongue, his art, his genius all bested 

That the effect he long'd for might be gained : 
But never promise could he draw from me, 
Who still was mute, or wilful spurn' d his plea. 

XL VIII. 

" At length he left me with mysterious mien, 

Through which shone plainly forth his impious mind : 
And written on his brow methouffht was seen 

o 

The history of the ills which came behind. 
Ever since then my nightly rest has been 

Disturb'd by visions of the strangest kind ; 
A fatal horror, stamp'd upon my soul, 
Became the presage of my future dole. 

F 



66 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO IV. 



XLIX. 

" Oft loom'cl before me tlie maternal shade, 
A pallid image rob'd in mournful weed ; 

How diif'rent far from that which is j3ortray'd 
Elsewhere, in which her looks of love I read ! 

' Fly daughter,' cried she, ' fly the snares now laid 
To' ensure thy cruel death ; depart with speed : 

I see the treach'rous tyrant's poison and steel 

Preparing, which thou only art meant to feel. 

L. 

"Alas ! but what avail' d it to presage 

In my awaken' d heart th' approaching woe, 

If terror render' d my yet tender age 
Irresolute to form a scheme, and slow ? 

In voluntary exile to engage, 

And naked from my royal home to go, 

So dreadful seem'd, that I preferr'd at worst 

To close mine eyes where I had op'd them first. 

LI. 

" Ah ! death I fear'd, yet had not (who that hear 
Will heed me 1 ) courage from that death to fly ; 

I even fear'd, too, to unfold my fear, 

Lest I should speed the hour when I must die. 

Thus I dragg'd on a life disturb' d and drear, 
And pass'd in one continual agony, 

Like one who on his bare neck seems to feel 

Each moment falling the remorseless steel. 

LII. 

" In this my plight, whether 'twere friendly fate, 
Or I to worse reserv'd by fortune's ire, 

One of the ministers of regal state, 

"Who had been rear'd from childhood by my sire, 

Told me the time prescrib'd for my death's date 
By the dark tyrant now drew nigher and nigher ; 

And he had promis'd that unnatural one 

To give me poison ere the day was done. 

LILT. 

" And after a short pause he further said 
My life could only be prolong'd by flight ; 

And, since I could not elsewhere hope for aid, 
Offer d himself to help me in my plight ; 

And me with comfort so courageous made, 
That I was now no more rein'd in by fright, 

But through the darken'd air, I, nothing loth, 

Eled with liim from mv country and uncle both. 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 67 

LIV. 

" The night arose beyond its wont obscure, 
And cover'd us with its befriending hue 3 

Hence with two damsels I went forth secure, 
In adverse fortune chosen comrades true : 

But yet mine eyes, attracted by the lure 

Of my lov'd home, turn'd backward bath'd in dew, 

Nor could I satiate them with the sight 

Of that dear land where first I saw the light. 

LV. 

" The thought and the' eye travers'd the selfsame way, 
And forward went the foot against its will ; 

Like ship from the lov'd harbour forc'd to stray 
By whirlwind unforeseen and fiercely shrill. 

That night we sped and all the following day 
Where not a track was seen on plain or hill. 

We reach' d the shelter of a tow'r at last 

Plac'd where the confines of my realm are pass'd. 

LVI. 

" Arontes owns the tow'r (the same who drew 
Me forth from peril and was my guide alone) 

But when the traitor found me flown, and knew 
That all his deadly schemes were overthrown, 

Inflam'd with furious rage against the two, 

He charg'd us with the crimes that were his own ; 

Accusing both of that excess which he 

Himself intended to commit on me. 

LVII. 

" He stated that by briberies I had led 

Arontes to mix poison in his food, 
In order to have none, when he was dead, 

To give me laws, or to restrain my mood ; 
And that I wish'd to take into my bed 

Lovers by scores, following my passion lewd. 
Ah ! sacred Chastity, on me descend 
Eed fire from Heav'n, ere I thy laws offend ! 

LVIII. 

" That such a wretch should hunger for my gold, 
And for my innocent blood should also thirst, 

Is grievous ; but far worse the wrong I hold, 
That he would have my spotless fame aspers'd. 

With such adroitness all his lies he told, 
Fearing a popular outbreak from the first, 

That doubtful of the truth, and still suspense, 

The city rose not arm'd in my defence. 



68 JERUSALEM DELIVERED. CANTO IV. 

LIX. 

" Not though, he has niy throne, which was his aim, 
And with the glittering diadem is crown'd, 

Puts he an end to my great wrongs and shame ; 
So far his cruelty spurs him beyond bound : 

He threats to wrap Arontes' tow'r in flame, 
Unless a willing prisoner he be found : 

And ah ! to me and to my friends he saith, 

jSTot war alone shall come, but racks and death. 

LX. 

" This must be done, he says, to wash the stain 
Contracted by my crimes from off my face, 

And to the full (what I had lost) regain, 
The honour of our regal seat and race : 

But the true cause is, fear to have re-ta'en 

The sceptre which is mine of right and grace ; 

Since only if I fall, can he upstay 

Solidly with my ruin his own sway. 

LXI. 

" And soon the tyrant's impious desire 
Will have the end on which he is intent • 

And in my blood will then be quench'd the ire 
Which yielded not to all the tears I spent, 

If thou forbid not. Thee I seek, Sire, 
I, a lorn maiden, orphan, innocent • 

And may these tears, with which thy feet I flood, 

Avail me that I may not shed my blood. 

LXII. 

" By these thy feet, which trample on the proud 
And impious ; by this hand, which aids the right : 

By thy great vict'ries, by the Temples vow'd 
To be restor'd and guarded by thy might ; 

Grant my desire, thou with sole pow'r endow'd 
To save my life and kingdom I invite 

Thy pity ; and yet pity can avail 

Xothing with thee, if right and reason fail. 

LXIII. 

" Thou, to whom Heav'n concedes, and grants by fate, 
To wish the just, and, wishing it, fulfil, 

For me may'st save my life, for thee the state 
Acquire, for when 'tis mine, 'tis at thy will. 

Permit me from the number here, so great, 

To choose ten heroes of most worth and skill : 

For with my nobles loyal, and people true, 

These will suffice to win me back my due. 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 69 

LXIV. 

" Nay, one of lofty station to whose care 

And trust a secret postern is consign'd, 
Agrees to ope it, and admit us there 

By night e'en to the palace ; let me find 
But aid from thee, so bids he, though but spare, 

And I shall thus more reassure his mind 
Than if from elsewhere a grand army came, 
Such influence has thy flag and very name." 

LXV. 

This said, she stops, and for response attends 

With gesture which though silent speaks and prays. 

Godfrey revolves o'er many a doubt ; suspends 
His judgment; and, perplex'd in heart, delays. 

He fears the Paynini guile, and apprehends 
No faith in one who none in God displays. 

But then again in him that pity kind 

Awakes, which never sleeps in noble mind. 

LXVI. 

Nor in assisting her would he obey 

An impulse only, and his natural bent ; 

Advantage moves him ; since 'twere wise to sway 
Damascus' realm by one who should be sent, 

Dependent on his pow'r, to ope the way 

And render smooth the course to his intent ; 

And should supply him with men, arms, and gold 

'Gainst Egypt and whoe'er with her should hold. 

LXVII. 

While thus perplex'd with many a doubt he turns 
His glance to the' earth, and thoughts revolve and rise, 

The lady gazes fixedly, and learns 

His looks intent, his every action eyes : 

And since beyond expectance she discerns 

His answer slow, she dreads it more, and sighs. 

At last the grace demanded was refus'd, 

But soft and courteous were the terms he us'd. 

LXVIII. 

" If in God's service, chosen for that end 
By Him, we did not here employ the blade, 

With reason might thy hope on these depend 
Nor look for pity only, but for aid : 

But till His people, and these walls which bend 
Beneath oppression's weight, by us be made 

Completely free, 'twere wrong to slack the course 

Of vict'ry by diminishing our force. 



70 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO it. 

LXIX. 

" I promise th.ee (and for a noble token 

Take thou my faith, and live in it secure) 
That when tli' unworthy yoke shall hare been broken 

From off these walls which all HeavVs love allure. 
Then to restore thee, as pity has bespoken. 

To thy lost throne shall be our care, be sure. 
But now not pious would my pity be, 
If first I gave not God His rightful fee." 

LXX. 

The lady at that speech, her eyes declin'd. 

And stood awhile unmov'd among the peers : 
Then lifting them suffiis'd with dew, rejoin' d, 

Her actions corresponding with her tears : 
" Ah me, and to whom else has Heav'n assign'd 

A life of such unvarying woes and fears 
That others change their nature and desire, 
Ere can be chang'd in me a lot so dire. 

LXXI. 

" Xo further hope remains : in vain I grieve ; 

Into man's bosom now no pray'rs can glide. 
Perchance the grief which moves not thee may achieve 

To turn the tyrant's fierce resolve aside 1 
And yet no charge of harshness do I weave 

Against thee for this trilling aid denied : 
But Heav'n I charge whence my disasters fall, 
Which makes thee deaf to melting pity's call. 

LXXII. 

" Hot such art thou, nor such thy goodness, She ; 

But 'tis my fate which has denied me aid. 
cruel fate, fatal fate and dire, 

This odious life of mine at once invade ! 
Ah ! to have caus'd my parents to expire 

In flow'r of life, was wrong that little weigh'd, 
Unless thou see me too, unthron'd in life, 
Go like a wretched victim to the knife. 

LXXIII. 

" For since the laws of chastity and zeal 
Require that I make here no longer stay, 

Whom shall I fly to ? where myself conceal ? 
How keep the tyrant any more at bay % 

Xo spot whatever under Heav'n can seal 

The entrance against gold. Why then delay \ 

Yes, I see death, and if 'tis vain to fly it, 

I'll go to it, and with this hand, defy it." 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 71 

LXXIV. 

She ceas'd, and on her face appear'd a glow 

Of generous wrath, that would have grac'd a queen ; 

And turning round she seem'd about to go, 
Disdainful and yet mournful in her mien. 

Her tears without control began to flow, 

Like those from mingled sorrow and chagrin ; 

And, like the purest pearl or crystal, gleam 

The nascent drops against the solar beam. 

LXXV. 

Her cheeks o'er which the living moisture spread, 
And fell thence to the margin of her vest, 

Eesembled flow'rs of mingled white and red, 
If water' d by a rain-cloud from the West, 

What time, as morning's early rays are shed, 
They ope to the glad breeze their folded breast ; 

And pleas'd Aurora, seeing them so fair, 

Is charm' d, and longs with them to braid her hair. 

LXXVI. 

But the clear drops which thus adorn the maid, 
And frequent o'er her face and bosom drain, 

Have wrought like fire whose flames by stealth invade 
A thousand hearts, and then burst out amain. 

miracle of Love ! where sparks are made 

To spring from tears, and hearts to burn with rain ! 

O'er nature ever holds he sov'reign sway, 

But by her means exceeds himself to-day. 

LXXVII. 

This feign'd distress made many an eye disperse 
True tears, and e'en the hardest hearts were wrung. 

All grieve with her, and thus their thoughts rehearse : 
" If Godfrey yield not to that pleading tongue, 

A rabid tiger must have been his nurse, 

And he from horrid Alpine crag be sprung, 

Or from the waves that foam and lash the seas. 

Cruel to vex and spoil such charms as these." 

LXXVIII. 

But Eustace in whose youthful breast the flame 

Of pity and of love has most of heat, 
Comes forward openly, and dares exclaim, 

While others only whisper and retreat : 
" Brother, and lord, thou to thy primal aim 

Tenacious holdest longer than is meet, 
If to the gen'ral sense thou nothing yield, 
And against all our' hopes and pray'rs art steel'd. 



72 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO IV. 



LXXIX. 

" I say not, that the several chiefs who stand 
With subject tribes entrusted to their care, 

Should from the leaguer'd walls withdraw their hand, 
Neglecting the great offices they bear ; 

But among us who are th' Adventurous Band, 
With no peculiar task, nor forc'd to share 

Strict laws with others, thou may'st well decree 

Some ten, defenders of the right to be. 

LXXX. 

" For from God's service he has not retir'd 
One tittle who defends an innocent maid ; 

And dear enough to Heav'n are spoils acquir'd 
From slaughter' d tyrant when they are display' d. 

If then th' emprise I should not have desir'd 
For the sure good with which 'twill be repaid, 

Duty would move me, for our rules express 

That we should succour damsels in distress. 

LXXXI. 

" By Heav'n, be never told in France the tale, 
Xor elsewhere whither courteous knights repair, 

That peril or fatigue could make us quail 
In cause like this, so holy and so fair. 

I for my part here lay down helm and mail ; 
I here ungird my sword ; and let me ne'er 

Henceforth use arms or steed without all right, 

JSTor ever more usurp the name of knight." 

LXXXII. 

This said, his Order all without disguise 

Concordant with him raise a boisterous sound, 

And lauding this advice as good and wise, 

Press tow'rd the Chief with pray'rs, and gird him 
round. 

" I yield, and am subdued," at last he cries, 
" By numbers so united and renown'd : 

Beceive she, if ye will, the boon desir'd ; 

By your advice, not mine, 'twill be acquir'd. 

LXXXIII. 

" But if respect among you e'er be paid 
To Godfrey's counsel, temper your desires." 

He said no more : their ferments are allay' d, 

For all seems granted them which each requires. 

Now what can tears not do from lovely maid, 

And the sweet words which amorous tongue expires ? 

From her sweet lips issues a golden chain 

Which catches hearts at will, and is their rein. 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 73 

LXXXIV. 

Eustace recalls her, and exclaims : " stay 

Henceforth, enchanting maid, thy sorrowing tears ; 

For soon from us thou shalt have such array 
Of succour as shall satisfy thy fears." 

Armida makes serene each cloudy ray 

On hearing this, and with such smiles appears, 

That as she dries with her fair veil her eyes, 

Her wondrous charms enamour e'en the skies. 

LXXXV. 

Then gave she them in sweet and tender tone 

Thanks for the grace with which she had been bless'd, 

Declaring that it ever should be known 

To all the world, and on her heart impress'd : 

And that which could not by the tongue be shown, 
Mute eloquence in all her acts express'd ; 

And she so hid her thought in garb of lies 

That no one could suspect the deep disguise. 

LXXXVI. 

Perceiving thence that fortune now had smil'd 
On the first project of her fraudful will, 

She lays her train, before the scheme be foil'd, 
To end a work replete with so much ill, 

And more do by sweet looks and actions mild 
Than Circe or Medea did by skill : 

And with a Syren's vocal charms to steep 

The most awaken'd minds in fatal sleep. 

LXXXVII. 

Each art which can within her toils enlace 

Some other lover is the lady playing ; 
Xor always, nor with all, keeps the same face, 

But din'rent looks and actions is arraying : 
Her glance is guarded now with modest grace, 

!Now turns aside voluptuous and straying : 
Or rein, or whip, she still contrives to show, 
Just as she sees them swift in love, or slow. 

LXXXVIII. 

If she perceive a lover who retires, 

And diffident would keep his thoughts unseen, 
She opens the kind smile which he requires, 

And turns to him her eyes glad and serene ; 
Spurring the timorous and slow desires, 

And making his late blunted hopes grow keen ; 
And by iiinaming every amorous thought 
She melts away the ice which fear had brought. 



74 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO IV. 



LXXXIX. 

To other who o'erleaps the mark, too daring, 

By blind and rashly venturous guide misled, 
Of gentle words and sweet looks is she sparing, 

Inducing in him reverence and dread : 
But mid the scorn her lofty brows are bearing 

A ray of pity may be plainly read ; 
So, though he fear, he need not all despair, 
And loves the more, the haughtier seems her air. 

xc. 
Sometimes withdrawing a small space aside, 

Each look and motion she adjusts and feigns, 
As though in grief ; then makes the teardrop glide 

Oft o'er her cheek, and then again restrains : 
And forces by such arts, which none have spied, 

A thousand simple souls to share her pains ; 
And in the fire of pity welds the dart 
Of love wherewith to slay the gentle heart. 

xci. 
And then as though she had put that thought away, 

And felt new hope awaken'd in its stead, 
On tow'rd the lovers words and feet would stray, 

And o'er her face adorning joy be spread ; 
And caus'd she like a double orb of day 

The brilliant glance and heav'nly smile to shed 
Light on the clouds of grief, obscure and dense, 
Which first had gather'd in their breast suspense. 

xcn. 
But while her sweet speech and sweet smile are plied, 

And with a double sweetness charm the sense, 
She seems their souls and bodies to divide, 

Souls never us'd to these delights immense. 
Ah ! cruel Love ! how closely are allied 

The gall and honey which thou dost dispense ; 
Both slay ; and, equally destructive still, 
Proceed from thee the medicine and the ill. 

XCIII. 

Amid such varied moods, in ice and heat, 

In smiles and tears, mid fears and hopes repress'd, 

Each doubts of his own state, and the fair cheat 
Comes hither to make all of them a jest. 

And if one dares to tell with indiscreet 

And trembling voice the tortures of his breast, 

She feigns, as if a rustic artless maid, 

Not to perceive the soul in words display'd. 



CANTO IV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 75 

XCIV. 

Or making else her modest eyes decline, 

She adorns and tints herself with decent grace; 
So that she comes to hide the drops of brine 

Beneath the roses of her lovely face ; 
As oft we see in hour most matutine 

Aurora when she shows her earliest trace : 
And aye the blush of scorn comes forth attended 
By that of shame, and both are fus'd and blended. 

xcv. 
But if she first from all his bearing spies 

One who attempts his warm wish to unfold, 
Now she withdraws, and flies him, now supplies 

The means of speech, and yet will these withhold : 
Thus all day long he treads a path of lies ; 

Tir'd and deluded, then, his hopes grow cold : 
Like to the hunter who at close of day 
Has lost at length all traces of his prey. 

xcvi. 
These were the arts by which she would compel 

Thousands of heedless souls to own her reign ; 
Yea rather were the arms by which they fell, 

And were by her made servants in Love's train. 
Why marvel if with Love, as histories tell, 

Achilles, Theseus, Hercules strove in vain, 
When here into his net the traitor draws 
E'en him who girds the sword in Jesu's cause ? 



76 



CANTO V. 



ARGUMENT. 



The Norseman, mad to see Rinaldo gain 

The post of Chieftain o'er th' Adventurous knights, 

Affronts him ; and the brave youth in disdain 
With swift avenging hand the shame requites. 

He quits ; Armida quits too with a train 

Whose breasts burn less for fame, than love's delights. 

From the Ligurian Admiral sad news 

Of peril sad make Godfrey deeply muse. 

I. 
While thus Armida's treacherous arts are plied 

To lure the knights to love as best she may, 
Nor hopes she ten alone now not denied, 

But trusts by stealth to lead still more astray ; 
Godfrey revolves to whom he shall confide 

The doubtful quest to which she leads the way, 
Since the Adventurer's number, clamouring voice, 
And the high merit of each, distract his choice. 

ii. 
At last he wisely so dispos'd the case 

That they should choose one of themselves to fill, 
Whomsoe'er they would, the noble Dudon's place, 

And take on him that other choice at will : 
For thus would he be able best to chase 

Off from himself all feelings of ill-will, 
And show too, far as reason might demand, 
How highly he esteem'd th' egregious band. 

in. 
Them calTd he to him then, and thus address'd : 

"Already have ye heard my counsel true, 
Which was, not to deny the maid's request, 

But grant her aid mature in season due. 
Again I offer it ; perchance the best 

It yet may seem in your own judgments too ; 
For in a world so changeable and blind, 
'Tis ofttimes constancy to change the mind. 



CANTO v. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 77 

IV. 

" But if ye still conceive that to refrain 

From peril would ill become your lofty grade • 
And if your generous courage should disdain 

Advice which seems too cautiously convey' d ; 
I would not your unwilling swords retain, 

Nor now retract the offer which I made ; 
But ever let the reins of my command 
Be o'er you, as they should be, light and bland. 

v. 
" To stay then, or to go, I am content 

Yourselves shall choose, with nothing to impede ; 
But first make to the chief whose days are spent 

A successor to care for all your need, 
And let him choose the ten who shall be sent • 

But that fix'd number let him not exceed : 
Since here th' imperial pow'r I do not waive ; 
'Make not its will in other points a slave." 

VI. 

Thus Godfrey reasons ; then at the desire 
Of all around, his brother thus replies : 

" sovereign Chief, as men in thee admire 
This tardy valour which afar espies, 

E'en so in us, thou know'st, the heart of fire 
And hand of vigour they demand and prize : 

And the mature delays which may appear 

Prudence in thee, in us were shameful fear. 

VII. 

" And since the risk is of a loss so light, 
When pois'd against the good to be repaid, 

On quest so noble, if thou grant the right, 

The chosen ten shall set forth with the maid." 

Thus ended he, and with a veil so slight 

Sought to conceal the mind which had been sway'd 

By different zeal ; the others too would prove 

Their wish for glory, wishing but for love. 

VIII. 

But now the younger Bouillon, who long while 
Had mark'd with jealous eye Sophia's son, 

Whose valour he admir'd, though it mov'd his bile, 
Since in a frame so fair all hearts it won, 

Dislik'd such comrade ; and the web of guile 
Within his heart by jealousy was spun : 

Whence having drawn the rival youth apart, 

He thus addresses him with flatt'ring art : 



78 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO 

IX. 

" grander offspring of a parent grand, 

For richest feats of arms already known, 
Whom shall we now of this distinguished band, 

Of which we are a part, as leader own 1 
I, who could yield to Dudon's late command 

Hardly, and through respect for age alone, 
To whom shall I, brother of Godfrey, bow 
Henceforward 1 None be leader, if not thou. 

x. 
" In nobleness of birth thou equal'st all, 

And glory and merit lift thee above me ; 
Nor e'en would th' elder Bouillon scorn to call 

Himself inferior as a knight to thee. 
Thee then I wish for chief, if so it fall 

Thou care not champion of this maid to be ; 
Nor wilt thou prize that honor, I am sure, 
Which comes from deed nocturnal and obscure. 

XI. 

" Nor will there want occasion where with fame 
More brilliant still thy worth will be display'd. 

I will procure, if this thou not disclaim, 

That the' others yield to thee the loftiest grade. 

But since I scarcely know my heart's own aim 
So halting is it and by doubt so sway'd, 

I now entreat thee that, as I decree, 

I may attend the maid or stay with thee." 

XII. 

He ceas'd ; and o'er his face a blush was brought 
With the last accents. And the other guess' d 

Without an effort, the too burning thought 
So ill conceal' d there, nor *a smile repress'd. 

But since the lighter strokes of love had wrought 
No wound beyond the bark upon his breast, 

Nor much impatient he of rivals there, 

Nor to pursue the lady does he care ; 

XIII. 

Deeply on his tenacious mind is trac'd 
The bitter death of Dudon lately slain, 

And he conceives himself will be disgrac'd 
If bold Argante long alive remain : 

And partly is he pleas'd to hear so grac'd 

With words the honor which his sword may gain, 

And his young heart cannot but much rejoice 

At the sweet sound of praise's truthful voice. 



CANTO V JERUSALEM DELIVERED. i \) 

XIV. 

He therefore thus replies : "I more delight 

To merit the first station, than to' acquire ; 
Nor ought I e'er to crave the sceptre's height, 

As long as my own valour lifts me higher : 
But if thou deem this honour is my right, 

And call me to 't, I thwart not thy desire ; 
And well may I he proud that ye show forth 
So fair a reckoning of my valour's worth. 

xv. 
" Nor ask I, nor refuse it • and if I 

Be leader, 'mong the ten have thou thy part." 
Here Eustace leaves him, and goes forth to ply 

His comrades, and to win them hy each art. 
But Prince Gernando asks that station high : 

And though indeed he feel Armida's dart, 
Yet in proud heart has lady-love less might 
Than lust of honor, which ahsorhs him quite. 

XVI. 

Gernando sprang from great Norwegian kings 

Whose empire stretch'd o'er many a province wide • 

And all his sceptres and head-crowning rings 
From sire and ancestor had swell' d his pride. 

The' other was proud of his own meritings 

More than of deeds perform' d in the olden tide, 

Although his sires five centuries and more 

Had been admir'd in peace, renown'd in war. 

XVII. 

But the rude lord who cares hut in his whim 

How wide the realms, the hoards of gold how dear, 

Who deems all virtue by itself is dim 
If regal title do not make it clear, 

Can scarce endure there should contend with him 
In what he affects a worthy cavalier, 

And so resents it that he bursts the chain 

Of reason, spurr'd by anger aud disdain. 

XVIII. 

And hence from hell the dark malignant sprite 
Who sees in him so broad a path dispart, 

Into his bosom creeps, unnotic'd quite, 

And sits to steer his thoughts with flattering art. 

And evermore provokes there inward spite 

And rage, and stinmlates and rends his heart ; 

And makes these accents every moment roll 

Re-echoing in the chamber of his soul : 



80 TORQUATO TASSO. CAHTO 

XIX. 

With thee Einaldo vies : is there such weight 

In the' ancient heroes whom he sums in vain ? 
Let him who would become thy peer narrate 

His subject realms and tributary train j 
Produce his sceptres, and in regal state 

Compare his dead with thine who alive remain. 
Yet thee this mean untitled lord has braved, 
Lord born in Italy, a land enslaved ! 

xx. 
Conquer or fail he now, when he became 

Thy rival, he obtain' d the conqueror's end. 
For all will say (and this be counted fame) 

' Once with Geinando this man dar'd contend.' 
The noble grade first fill'd by Dudons name 

A splendour and renown to thee may lend ; 
But yet not less thy worth to it supplies : 
When this man ask'd it he bedimm'd the prize. 

XXI. 

And if, since none beside him speak or rise, 

He anything perceive of our affairs, 
How think ye good old Dudon in the skies 

Will show the noble anger winch he bears. 
AVhile on this haughty one he turns his eyes, 

And gives good heed to what he rashly dares. 
Who copes with him. despising age and merit, 
Though still a child, and of untemper'd spirit. 

XXII. 

He dares it, and proceeds, and seems to gain, 
Instead of chastisement, renown and laud ; 

There are who counsel him, and e'en constrain, 
(0 general shame !) there are too who applaud. 

But still if Godfrey see it. and be fain 

To rob thee of thy clearest right by fraud. 

Endure it not ; act not so mean a part ; 

But show what thou canst do, and who thou art. 

XXIII. 

At words like these his scorn now unrepress'd 
Grew more intense as does a shaken name ; 

And bursting from his swoll'n and pregnant breast 
Forth from his eyes and daring tongue it came. 

That which he deem'd Binaldo e'er possess'd 
Of fault or wrong he speaks of to his shame ; 

Feigns him both proud and vain, nor fails to call 

His valour rage and phrenzied rashness all. 



CANTO V. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 81 

XXIV. 

And whatsoe'er magnanimous and proud, 

High and illustrious in the childe appears, 
Cov'ring the truth with a despiteful shroud, 

As if 'twere merely vice, he blames and jeers ; 
And so he comments that his accents loud 

Are heard by all and reach his rival's ears : 
Nor vents he thus his rage, nor can abate 
That blind impulse which leads him to his fate. 

xxv. 
For that accursed fiend who moves his tongue 

Instead of breath, and shapes what he repeats, 
Makes him renew still his outrageous wrong, 

Adding fresh food to his internal heats. 
Within the camp a spot lies, ample and long, 

On which a chos'n assemblage always meets, 
And here with jousts and wrestling they instill 
Into their linibs more vigour, and more skill. 

XXVI. 

Here where he saw the thickest crowd appear, 
He accus'd Rinaldo, e'en as 'twas his fate ; 

And turn'd against him like a sharpen'd spear 
His tongue infus'd with Hell's envenoming hate. 

Einaldo was now nigh, and lent his ear ; 

And could no more shut in a wrath so great ; 

But rush'd upon him, and, " Thou liest," he roar'd, 

And in his right hand swung the naked sword. 

XXVII. 

The voice seem'd thunder, and the sword a light 

Flashing to tell of bolts about to fall. 
That other trembled, nor perceiv'd or flight 

Or scape from present death without recall : 
Yet shows he the' air of courage and of might, 

The camp around being witnesses of all : 
And draws his sword and waits his mighty foe, 
And firmly stands in. act to ward the blow. 

XXVIII. 

Just at this point a thousand^blades were rent 
From scabbards, and were seen to flash around \ 

For various crowds of reckless people went 

Thrusting and pressing forward o'er the ground. 

Of doubtful voices, and of accents blent, 
There roll'd and rag'd along the air a sound, 

Such as is heard beside the ocean shore 

When winds and waves together blend their roar. 



^2 TORQUATO TASSO. CASTO V. 

XXIX. 

But not the voices of tlieni all can stay 
Tli" offended warrior's impetus and ire : 

He scorns their cries, their fence, and all th' array 
"Which lets him. and for vengeance will aspire : 

And through the men and arms he breaks his way, 
And wheels his falchion in a circle of fire, 

So that he clears a pathway, and alone 

Confronts Gernando, all defence o'erthrown. 

XXX. 

And with a hand skill'd e'en in anger's height, 
He aims a myriad blows which wheel and dart ; 

Xow on the breast, now head, now on the right 
He tries to wound him. now on the left part \ 

And so impetuous is his hand to smite, 

And rapid, that the eyes are foil'd with art, 

And thus its end unlook'd for it achieves 

Where seems no room for fear, and stabs and cleaves. 

XXXI. 

Not ceas'd he until once, and twice, he had pierc'd 
His enemy's breast with the remorseless blade. 

The wretch fell at the wound, outpouring first 

His breath and soul through the two pathways made. 

The victor then replac'd his arms aspers'd 
E'en yet with blood, nor over him delay'd ; 

But turn'd elsewhither, and at once resign'cl 

His wrathful will and his revengeful niind. 

XXXII. 

Godfrey meanwhile, drawn by the tumult nigh, 

Beholds a sad and unexpected scene ; 
Gernando is fall n. and drench' d in warm blood lie 

His locks and robes : and full of death his mien : 
He hears the moaning and the plaintive cry 

Of those who o'er the slaughtered warrior lean. 
Stunn'd he demands : "Xow here, where least 'twas right, 
Who dar'd, and did, this deed of lawless might]" 

XXXIII. 

Arnald, a dear friend of the warrior slain, 
Tells, and in telling aggravates th' affair, 

How that Einaldo slew him, driv'n by vain 
And foolish cause of quarrel light as air; 

And thus had turn'd that sword which should maintain 
The cause of Christ, against His champions there, 

And set at nought his pow'r, and the decree 

Made long before, which could no secret be ; 



CANTO V. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 83 

XXXIV. 

And that his life was forfeit, and his fate 

Should be decided as th' edict had run ; 
Because the crime itself was of such weight, 

Because, too, in such place it had been done : 
If pardon were receiv'd for fault so great, 

All would pursue th' example set by one ; 
And the affronted then would make their own 
That vengeance which was due to law alone. 

xxxv. 
From cause like this the camp would be infested 

With discords which would bud on every side. 
He summ'd the slain one's merits, and suggested 

All which awakens pity or angry pride. 
But Tancred here confronting him, attested 

That the accus'd one's act was justified. 
Godfrey heard all, and in his rigid mien 
More reason far for fear than hope was seen. 

xxxvi. 
Tancred subjoin'd then : " Let thy mind recall, 

Sage lord, both what Binaldo is, and who ; 
What honors through himself upon him fall, 

And through his race renown'd and regal too, 
And through his uncle Guelph. For not to all, 

And him who reigns, is the same penance due ; 
The crime according to the station veers ; 
Equality is only just with peers." 

XXXVII. 

Eesponds the Captain : " Let the humbler grow 
Submissive, taught by those of loftier state. 

Ill dost thou counsel, Tancred, little know, 

If thou would'st have me thus indulge the great. 

What will my rule be if o'er vile and low, 
A leader of mere rabble, I have weight ? 

A sceptre impotent, and shameful reign : 

If giv'n me thus, I hold it in disdain. 

XXXVIII. 

" But since 'twas giv'n me venerable and free, 

By none shall its authority be marr'd : 
And well I know both when, and on what plea, 

Now to impose the penance and reward, 
Now, guided by equality's decree, 

Not sever high from low in my regard." 
Thus spake he ; nor did Tancred answer aught, 
Subdued. by the deep awe those words had wrought. 



84 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO V. 

XXXIX. 

Raymond, an imitator of tlie plain 

Severe antiquity, the speech commends. 

"With arts like these," he cries, "who well doth reign. 
Him veneration from his people attends. 

For discipline is there nnsonnd and vain 

Where men hope pardon, and not just amends. 

All pow'r must fall, all clemency, 'tis clear, 

Is ruinous, without the base of fear." 

XL. 

He spake ; and Tancred caught each accent low. 

^N"or waited for what else might there ensue : 
But tow'rd Einaldo made his courser go 

So swiftly that as if 'twere wing d it flew. 
Einaldo having wrung from his fierce foe 

Both pride and life, into his tent withdrew. 
Here Tancred found him, and the sum convey" d 
Of the words utter 1 d, and the answers made. 

XLI. 

He then subjoin' d : " Although the outward mien 
Be doubtful proof of what our hearts devise. 

Since in a part too dark and deep, I ween, 

The thought of men lies hidden from our eves. 

I dare affirm from that which I have seen 
In Godfrey, and indeed he scarce denies. 

That he would have thee yield to the same laws 

With others, and before him plead thy cause.' ' . 

XLII. 

Then smil'd Einaldo. and exclaim'd, his eye 
Amid its laughter flashing forth disdain : 

" Let him defend his cause imploringly 
Who is enchain 1 d or worthy of the chain : 

Tree was I born, have liv'd free, and will die 
Ere hand or foot unworthy bond sustain : 

This right hand oft has borne the sword, and borne 

The palm, and base ties it will ever scorn. 

XLITI. 

>% But if with this reward the Chief would grace 
My merits, and would fain my limbs empale. 

As though I were but of the vulgar base. 
And thinks to drag me to a common gaol. 

Come he, or send, my foot I firmly place : 

Let chance and arms decide which shall prevail. 

A savage tragedy he means to show 

For their disport to every neighb'ring foe." 



CANTO V. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 85 

XLIV. 

This said, he call'd for arms ; and head and bust 

In steel of finest temper he array'd ; 
Into his ample shield his arm he thrust, 

And hung upon his side the fatal blade : 
And in magnanimous semblance and august, 

As lightnings wont, he shone in arms display'd. 
Like thee, Mars, looks he when from Heav'n's fifth round 
Thou dropp'st engirt with steel, and horror-crown'd. 

XLV. 

Tancred meanwhile endeavours to appease 

His heart of pride, and spirit of rage unwise : 

" Unconquer'd youth," he said, " I know with ease 
Thy valour can make smooth each rough emprise ; 

I know thy lofty virtue ever sees 

Safety in arms, and calm where terrors rise ; 

But Heav'n forbid that it should show to day 

Itself so cruelly to our dismay. 

XLVI. 

" Tell me, at what then does thy purpose aim'? 

Would'st thou in civil blood thine hands imbrue, 
And pierce with wounds, that shame the Christians' name, 

Our Lord, of whom they all are members true 1 
Shall vain respects of transitory fame, 

Which, like the wave, comes and withdraws from view, 
Weigh more with thee than faith, and zeal to rise 
To everlasting glory in the skies 1 

XLVII. 

" Ah no, by Heav'n ! Subdue thyself, and chase 
This fierce and haughty spirit of thine away ; 

Yield : it will not be fear, but saintly grace ; 
A glorious palm thy yielding will repay : 

And if my youthful age unripe may trace 
A path for other with no vain display, 

I also was provok'd, and did not still 

Clash with the Faithful, and restrain'd my will. 

XLVIII. 

" For having made Cilicia's kingdom mine, 
And there unfurl'd the banner of our Lord, 

Baldwin arriv'd, and in a mode indign 
Seiz'd on it, and enjoy' d a wrong reward : 

For as he show'd me friendship's every sign, 
Against his grasping aims I could not guard : 

And yet I strove not -to regain my right 

With arms ; and haply not for lack of might. 



86 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO V. 

XLIX. 

" And even if thou dost refuse the gaol, 
And shun the bonds as an ignoble load, 

And wilt pursue th' opinions which prevail, 
And act as the world bids by honor's code, 

Leave me with Godfrey to make out thy tale ; 
Hie thou to Antioch, Boemond's new abode : 

Since to expose thee to the Chieftain now 

For instant doom, prudence will scarce allow. 

L. 

" Soon if there come against us the supreme 

Egyptian pow'r, or other Pagan band, 
Much clearer will appear thy worth extreme, 

While thou art absent in a distant land ; 
And crippled without thee the camp will seem, 

As 'twere a body shorn of arm or hand," 
Here Guelph arrives, approves of the discourse, 
And wishes him at once to take to horse. 

LI. 

The scornful mind of the brave stripling bends 
And yields to the advice which these convey, 

So that to their suggestion he now lends 
His ear to quit that host without delay. 

Meanwhile a numerous concourse of his friends 
Advance and beg to' escort him on his way : 

He thanks them all, and bids two squires proceed 

Alone with him, and then he mounts his steed. 

LIT. 

He quits, and bears with him unquench'd desire 
Of glory, in noble minds a ceaseless name ; 

Intent on grand adventures, these inspire 

His soul with thoughts beyond the' accustom'd aim ; 

To seek the foe ; cypress or palm acquire 

For the pure faith whose champion he became ; 

Egypt o'er-run, and reach those furthest ends 

Where from its hidden fount the Xile descends. 

LIII 

Eut when the daring youth in courteous guise 
Has bidd'n adieu, and hurried from the ground, 

Guelph stays no longer there, but quickly hies 
Where he imagines Godfrey may be found : 

Which latter, when he sees him, loudly cries : 
" Guelph, I this instant seek thee all around; 

And upon several different ways have sent 

Some heralds to recall thee to our tent." 



CANTO V. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 87 

LIV. 

He bids the rest retire, and in low tone 
Begins with him again a grave discourse : 

" Thy nephew, Guelph, in very truth has flown 
Too forward far, spurr'd on by anger's force ■ 

And hardly, I believe, can aught be shown 
To justify so violent a resource. 

Would thou could'st make me alter this belief : 

But Godfrey is to all an equal Chief; 

LV. 

" And will be the defender of the right, 
And guardian of the laws in every case, 

Keeping his heart for judgment stainless quite 
From every passion which is harsh or base. 

Now if Binaldo in his own despite 

Were forc'd to break th' edict and holy grace 

Of discipline, as some say, let him bow 

To our tribunal, and his proofs avow. 

LVI. 

" And let him come at large, free as the air : 

All possible on his merits I bestow. 
But if he stay perverse and scornful there, 

(That spirit indomitable of his I know) 
Strive thou to lead him hither, and take care 

That he compel not one so mild and slow 
To vindicate the laws and pow'r supreme 
Severely as shall wise and righteous seem." 

LVII. 

So spake he : and to him responded Guelph : 
" No soul that shrinks from infamy's foul blot 

Could hear loud insults vented on itself, 
And not at once repel them on the spot : 

And if he put to death th' outrageous elf, 

Who shall to righteous wrath the bounds allot ] 

Who counts the blows, or measures out and weighs 

The due amends while still his passions blaze ] 

LVI1I. 

" But that which thou demand'st, that he should stand 
Submissive here, and own thy sov'reign sway, 

I grieve it cannot be • since from our band 
Immediately the youth sped far away. 

I offer me to prove, though, with this hand 
On him who falsely charges him this day, 

Or others of the like malignant tongue, 

That justly he aveng'd an unjust wrong. 



88 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO V. 

LIX. 

" I say with reason stamp'd lie down the pride 
Which tow'r'cl so vastly in Gernando's mind. 

His breach of the decree alone I chide \ 

There much to blame and nought to praise I find." 

He ceas'd, and, " Let him wander," Godfrey cried, 
" Far as he will, and leave us peace behind. 

See that of new disputes thou spread no seed : 

Heav'n grant these quarrels may be clos'd indeed." 

LX. 

Meanwhile th' Enchantress, full of hidden bale, 
Ceas'd not to win more succour, and more prey ; 

By daylight pray'd she, and what e'er avail 
Art, wit, and beauty, she brought into play. 

But when the night, extending its dark veil 
Over the Western heav'n, had clos'd the day, 

Between her pair of knights and ladies twain. 

She sought apart the grander tent again. 

LXI. 

But though so vers'd in all deceitful lore, 

Though bland her movements, and her language wise, 
Though she were lovely so that none before 

]STor since were so enrich' d with beauty's prize, 
Whence the camp's noblest heroes are won o'er, 

And caught in her tenacious pow'rful ties, 
Yet can she not with flatt'ring words allure 
To this sweet bait the Chieftain wise and pure. 

LXII. 

In vain she sought to charm him, and to draw 
His soul with mortal sweets to amorous days : 

Tor as a bird with fully sated maw 

Cares nought for other food which one displays, 

So he, tir'd of the world, indifferent saw 

Trail joys, and clomb to heav'n by lonely ways, 

And render'd ineffectual every snare, 

Which treach'rous Love laid on a face so fair. 

LXIII. 

From the straight course which God's commandment 
traces 

Xo hindrance can his holy thoughts withhold. 
She tries each art, in every shape she places 

Herself before him like to Proteus old ; 
And her enchanting mien and winning graces 

Had waken'd Love, e'en where he sleeps most cold : 
But (thanks to Heav'n) here all assaults are vain, 
Xor boots it to attempt them o'er again. 



CANTO v. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 89 

LXIV. 

The fair one, who with one sole glance relied 
On firing the most iininrpassion'd sense, 

how she loses now her airs and pride ! 
Her rage at this, and wonder, how intense ! 

At length she wills her forces shall be tried 

Where they will meet with a less rough defence \ 
As the tir'd general quits the land he ne'er 
Can hope to win, and carries war elsewhere. 

LXV. 

But not less also was her triumph nrarr'd 
By Tancred who preserv'cl his heart entire ; 

Because another passion now had barr'd 

His breast, and left no room for fresher fire : 

Since as one poison doth from another guard, 
So one desire prevents a new desire. 

These only she subdues not \ more or less 

The influence of her charms all else confess. 

LXVT. 

Though vex'd that her design and long array 

Of artifice had made no deeper trace, 
Yet having captur'd such a noble prey 

Of knights unnumber'd, she takes heart of grace, 
And ere her frauds are open to the day 

Schemes to conduct them to a safer place, 
Where she may bind them with another chain 
Than that within whose coils they now remain. 

LXVII. 

The time being come when Godfrey had averr'd 
That succour should be given to the maid, 

She came to him and spake this reverent word : 
" Sire, the fix'd day begins e'en now to fade, 

And had by chance the wicked tyrant heard 
That I have had recourse to thy good aid, 

His forces for defence would all be dight, 

Not would the enterprise be then so light. 

LXVIII. 

" Then ere he be assur'd such news is true 
By fame's uncertain voice, or certain spy, 

Among the bravest ones elect a few 

In pity, and send them in my company ; 

Since, unless Heav'n slight innocence, and view 
The works of mortals with distorted eye, 

1 shall regain the crown, and then my land 
In peace and war shall be at thy command." 



90 TORQUATO TASSO. CAMTO v. 

LXIX. 

Thus spake she. and the leader giants the boon, 

Since to deny it to her were in vain, 
Although as she will now depart so soon, 

He sees th' election thrown on him again : 
But all with warmth unwonted importune 

To he enrolled among the chosen train ; 
And rivalry, awaken'd in each breast, 
Benders still more impetuous then request. 

LXX. 

She. who perceives their every heart emerge 
To open view, takes thence another ground ; 

And uses guilty jealousy for a scourge 

With which to lash and give the torturing wound ; 

Aware that if such arts no longer urge. 

Love will grow old, and dull and slow be found. 
E'en as the courser gallops with less speed 
Unless another follow or precede. 

LXXI. 

And in such fashion she deals out the word, 

The flatt'ring glance, the smile which is so sweet, 

That envy of the rest in each is stirr'd, 
And fear and hope in them together meet. 

The foolish crowd of lovers, who are spurr'd 
By the' art of features practis'd in deceit, 

Unbridled runs away, unckeck'd by shame, 

And vainly does th' indignant Chief exclaim. 

LXXII. 

He who would grant to each what all require, 
And equal justice would throughout maintain, 

Though heated now with shame, and now with ire, 
At the knights' conduct thus become so vain, 

Finding them obstinate in this desire, 

To' accord them all a new device has ta'en : 

" Your names be writ, and in a vase/' he cried, 

" Be plac'd together, and let chance decide." 

LXXIII. 

Each name at once is writ as it is told. 

And all are plac'd in a small urn, and shaken, 
And drawn by lot, and first of all, behold, 

Artemidorus. Pembroke's count, is taken : 
The name of Gerard was the next unroll" d ; 

And that of Yincelas has then forsaken 
The brasen vase, who, once so grave and sage, 
Prates with grey hairs, a lover in old age. 



CANTO V. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 91 

LXXIV. 

how the face rejoic'd, how teeni'd the eyes 

With that delight which from the full heart flows, 

Of these three first elect, who win the prize 
Of rich success in love against then foes. 

Uncertain thoughts and jealous looks arise 

'Mong those whose names still in the urn repose, 

And on the lips of him hang all the crowd 

Who opes the scrolls and reads the names aloud. 

T.XXV. 

The fourth came Guasco ; after whom arose 
Ealph ; next to Ealph cloth Olderic advance ; 

William Eoussillon thence the herald shows, 
Bavarian Everarcl, Henry then of France ; 

Eambald was last, the renegade who chose 
Thereafter against Christ to lift his lance. 

(Could Love so much then ?) And he clos'd the roll 

Of ten, and of the rest shut out the whole. 

LXXVI. 

With rage, with jealousy, with envy blind, 
On wicked Fortune rail th' excluded host, 

Accusing thee, Love, that thou hast resign'd 
Thy pow'r, and let it be by her engross'd. 

But since by instinct doth the human mincl 
Long most for that which is forbidden most, 

Many prepar'd to' escort the maid in spite 

Of Fortune, when the sky should lose its light. 

LXXVII. 

Ever they'd follow her in sun and shade, 

And risk their Eves in battling for her right, 

She hinted this, and seem'd with words half-stay'd, 
And with soft sighs, to wish it and invite. 

To this oue and to that her plaint is made 

That she must needs depart and quit his sight. 

Meanwhile the ten had arm'd themselves, and drew 

Tow'rd Godfrey to receive his last adieu. 

LXXVIII. 

Th' experienc'd Chief admonish'd them apart 
How Eagan faith was but a poor and frail 

And untrustworthy pledge, and with what art 

A man should 'scape from treacherous snares and bale. 

But sound advice reaches no lover's heart. 
And all his words are scatter'd to the gale. 

At length did he dismiss them, and the maid 

Set forth nor for the coming dawn delay'd. 



92 TORQUATO TASSO. canto T. 

LXXIX. 

The conqu'ress goes, and leads as with a string 
Those rival knights in her triumphal train, 

And leaves her other lovers with the sting 
Of ills nnimniber'd rankling in the brain. 

But when night issues, and beneath her wing 
Brings silence and the dream so light and vain, 

Many by stealth, as Love imparts the lore, 

Follow the track Arrnida has pass'd o'er. 

LXXX. 

First Eustace follows and can hardly stay 

For the kind shades which night will interpose ; 

Hastily through the blinded gloom away. 

Where a blind leader points the path, he goes. 

He ceas'd not through the calm warm night to stray ; 
But when the gentle light of dawn arose, 

Arniida and her troop appear'd in sight 

Where in a suburb they had pass'd the night. 

LXXXI. 

Towhd her he speeds, and when his arms appear 
Bambald soon recognizes him and cries : 

" What seek'st thou among these 1 and why art here I ' 
" I come to aid Arniida/' he replies, 

" Nor service shall she have from me less dear, 
]STor help less prompt, unless she such despise." 

Eejoin'd the other : " To this honor high 

Declare who calTd thee," " Love,'" was his reply. 

LX XX II. 

"Me Love chose, Fortune thee : which of the two 
Chos'n by the juster voice, then, gives his aid I " 

Said Bambald : " From false title can accrue 
No vantage : useless art hast thou displayed : 

Nor shalt thou be conimingled with the true 
Legitimate champions of the royal maid, 

Being illegitimate." " And who will dare 

Prevent me 3 " cried the youth with threat ning air. 

LXXXIII. 

" I will prevent thee," quickly he replied : 
And made him ready for the combat dire ; 

And with a bosom swoll'n as much with pride 
The other mov'd, and with as fierce a fire. 

But here the tyrant of their souls has hied, 
With lifted hand, to step between then ire ; 

And to the one says : " Grudge not, I implore, 

Thyself a comrade, me a champion more.' 1 



CANTO V. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 93 

LXXXIV. 

" If dear to thee my safety, why deprive 
Of fresh assistance iny adventurous aim ? " 

To the' other says she : " Grateful must arrive 
Each fresh defender of my life and fame ; 

Nor reason would, nor shall I while alive 
Such lov'd and noble company disclaim." 

Thus speaking, there arriv'd upon the way 

Some other champion still throughout the day. 

LXXXV. 

They come from every quarter, and none knows 
Of the' other, and regards him with despite. 

She glad receives them, and to each one shows 
At his arrival comfort and delight. 

But when the night-dispersing dawn arose, 
Godfrey became acquainted with their flight, 

And then foreboding their mishap, his mincl 

Seem'd troubled at some unknown ill behind. 

LXXXVI. 

While he reflects on these, a courier lo ! 

Dusty and breathless, with afflicted mien, 
In guise of one who carries news of woe, 

And writ upon his brow shows grief and teen. 
He said : " Sire, where yonder billows flow, 

Th' Egyptian ships of war will soon be seen ; 
And William, who commands the Genoan fleet, 
Has sent to thee the news which I repeat." 

LXXXVII. 

He added that provisions being convey'd 
Out of the vessels for the camp on land, 

The steeds and camels, loaded and o'erweigh'd, 
Were midway intercepted on the strand, 

And there were their defenders slain, or made 
All prisoners, and none 'scap'd the robber band, 

Which in the pass of an Arabian glen 

Assail'd their front and rear with armed men. 

LXXXVIII. 

And that the license and the spirit insane 
Of these barbarian hordes was now so great, 

As like a flood which nothing can restrain 
To spread itself around them and dilate : 

And hence he must dispatch a well-arm'd train, 
Who shall reduce them to a humble state, 

And make secure the way which from the coast, 

And sands of Palestine leads to the host. 






: :?. J.UATO TASSO. 
T.XXXIX. 



Fi mi one to' another tongi 

Instamhr ami limis'cl i: 
And the" herd :: s :-L:lier5 h 

Theprndem Chief mm m 

With jamais looks and ^y. 



rccmcm vd 
ran 1 : 
deepest dread 

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maramred 

:mccm:mdd. 



" O ye, wlio through, a thousand perils and cares 
Full many a realm with, me have travers'd o'er, 

Champion of G-od. whom H. Himself dec-lares 
Fore lemma the faith of Testis to restore : 

Have nooiy joncpaer'cl. do ye now. then, fear? 

XCL 

•• Does then the Lord, who still lit-::- ont ~ 
Alieilv kcccmc in far men- eTii ease. 



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95 



CANTO VI. 

ARGUMENT. 

While Sion hopes near succour in its need, 
Argante, issuing from the leaguer' d wall, 

Defies the Christians. Otho with rash speed 

Moves forth against him, and becomes his thrall. 

But Tancred jousts then with his fiery steed, 
And hard and bloody battle doth befall, 

Which night allays. Erminia finds her knight 

So lov'd ; harsh hap removes her from his sight. 

I. 

But brighter hopes console and reassnre 

Upon the other side the leaguer'd train, 
"Who, under cover of a night obscure, 

Have brought in to their gather'd store new grain, 
And made with arms and war-machines secure 

The line of walls along the northern chain, 
Where now increas'd in height, solid and large, 
They seem to fear no shock, and no discharge. 

ii. 
And yet the king still always here and there 

Strengthens their flank, and lifts their crest on high, 
Whether the golden sun illume the air, 

Or stars and moon make pale the dusky sky : 
And weary smiths are sweating to prepare 

Xew arms and instruments continually. 
To him Argante came amid such moil 
Intolerant, and reason' d thus the while : 

in. 
" And until when wilt thou detain us bound 

Within these walls in siege so vile and slow 1 
I hear indeed the anvils clang, and sound 

Of cuirass, helm, and shield I catch and know ■ 
But see not to what use : and all around 

These robbers freely scour the plains below, 
Xor is there one of us who stops their quest, 
Xor sounds a trumpet e'en to mar their rest. 



96 TORQUATO TASSO. CAHTO t] 

IV. 

" Their meals are ne'er disturb Yl nor brokn at noon. 

Xor troubled is their joyous eve's repast, 
And whether the sun glisten, or the moon. 

Quiet and safe their days and nights are pass'cl. 
Ye by distress and famine, if not s ; 

Must yield yourselves up vanquish' d at the last, 
Or die upon this spot as cowards die, 
Because forsooth no aid from Egypt's nigh. 

v. 
•'• I would not that ignoble death for me 

Should wrap my days in dark oblivious fate ; 
Xor would I that the sun's pure light should see, 

"When next it dawns, me inew'd within the gate. 
"Whate'er above may be the hx'd decree 

As to mv life, let that resolve its date, 
Yet shall I not ere using this good blade 
Inglorious fall, nor with revenue unpaid. 

VI. 

"' If of your wonted valour every seed 

"Were not. however, thus decay Yl and dead. 

Xot to die fighting crown Yl with honor's meed, 
Should be my hope, but life and palm instead. 

To meet the foe then, and the doom decreed, 
Go we together with deliberate tread, 

Since oft it haps when greatest perils rise, 

The most intrepid counsels are most wise. 

VII. 

•• But if thou deem such daring would be vain. 

Xor venturous wilt with all thy force descend. 
At least then cause two champions on the plain 

To bring this mighty quarrel to an end. 
And that the Frankish Chief may entertain 

More willingly the cartel which we send, 
Let him select the arms, and let him take 
The vantage, and his own conditions make 

VIII. 

••' Since if the foe should have two hands, and <;■ 
One only soul, though brave and fierce it be, 

Thou should* st not think disaster can be thrown 
Upon the cause which is maintain Yl by me. 

In fate's and fortune's room this hand alone 
Can give the total victory to thee : 

And now extends itself a token sure 

That, if thou trust it. then thv realm's secure/' 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 97 

IX. 

He ceas'd, and said the king : " Young valorous knight, 

Though thou perceiv'st what weight of years I bear, 
These hands are not so listless for the fight, 

Kor is my sonl so vile and loth to dare, 
That I would rather fall in dastard plight 

Than meet a death magnanimous and fair, 
Had I a fear, or but a faint surmise, 
That such distress and famine would arise, 

x. 
" May Heav'n avert the shame ! That which with art 

I hide from others shall to thee be told. 
King Solyman of Xice who yearns in part 

To vindicate offence receiv'd of old, 
Has brought the wand'ring tribes of th' Arab swart 

E'en from the furthest Lybian realm inroll'd, 
And hopes to give us aid and large supply, 
Charging the foe when night inwraps the sky. 

XI. 

" Soon may he join us here. Xow if meanwhile 
Our forts are seiz'd on, and our pow'r is braved, 

Care not for this, if yet our mantle royal 
And noble seat of government be saved. 

But temper somewhat these thy heats that boil 
So fiercely, and let thy gallant scheme be waived ; 

And wait until thou find a season meet 

To make thy fame and my revenge complete." 

XII. 

The daring Saracen gave an open sneer, 

For he had rival'd Solyman of yore ; 
So bitterly was he disrjleas'd to hear 

His royal friend on this man set such store. 
" Both peace and war," he answer'd, " Sire, 'tis clear 

Are thine to make ; on this I say no more. 
If Solyman thou wait for, then thy throne 
Let him defend, forsooth, who lost his own, 

XIII. 

" Come he, as if an angel from the sky, 

The liberator of the Pagan train ; 
For me, I can on mine own self rely, 

And freedom from this hand alone would gain. 
\Tliile others then repose, permit that I 

Go down to offer battle on the plain : 
Xot as thy champion, but a private knight 
Will I approach the Franks for single fight." 

H 



98 . rORQUATO TASSO. CANTO vi 

XIV. 

The king re 1 A A : **' Although thv wrath and blade 

Alight be reserv'd to better use. I know. 
Yet I refuse not, if thy mind be swayed 

By such desire, that thou defy some foe." 
He spake ; the other not an instant stay'd. 
But to a herald cried : " Hie thee below. 
And to the Frank Chief, where the host may h 
Make this my not unworthy challenge dear. 

xv. 
a Say that a cavalier who scorns to stay 

Within these powiful ramparts like a thrall, 
With arms desires extremely to display 

How far his might surpasses that of all : 
And for the duel he will come this day 

Into the plain between the tents and wall 
For proof of valour : and that he defies 
Such Frank as most on his own worth relies : 

xvi. 
•• And that not only is he girt to %ht 

With one and two of y ndei camp of foes, 
But will accept the third, fourth, and fifth knight, 

Whether his blood be base, or gently flows ; 
Fire pass be gA A, and, as the laws recite, 

Fhe vanquished serve the victor at the close. " 
Thus bade he, and the herald donn'd his vest 
Of purple cloth with golden arms impress 3 1 

xvii. 
And when the regal presence he attained 

Of princely Godfrey and his lords renown'd, 
He ask'd : " Sire, may license unrestrained 

For liberal speech among your ranks be found 
•• It may." replied the Captain : " and onreine 

By fear of harm, thy message here expound." 
The other then rejoin'd : " Now will ye see 
Whether mine embassy bring j >y oi dree.' 1 

XVIII. 

Then went he on and spake the challenge plain 

In words as haughty as he could devise. 
Mutt'rings were heard from that ferocious train 

A: A. lis course, an AAA from A 

The pious Godfrey quickly spake again : 

; * The cavalier attempts a hard emprise; 
And soon me thinks he will so far repent 
: the fifth warrior hardly need be sent. 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 99 

XIX. 

" But come lie to the trial, for I invite 

His presence in a field secure and fair : 
And with him shall without advantage fight 

Some one of these my champions : thus I swear." 
He ceas'd : the king-at-arms then quat their sight, 

Returning on his former track, nor e'er 
Restrain'd his hasty steps until he told 
To the Circassian knight that answer bold. 

xx. 
" Arm thee," said he, " great signor : why be slow 1 

The Christians have accepted all thy scheme ; 
And to confront thee the least valiant show 

A strong desire, much more the knights supreme ; 
I mark'd a thousand threat'ning faces glow, 

And weapons in a thousand right hands gleam. 
The Chief concedes a place secure from harms." 
Thus spake he \ and the other cries for arms \ 

XXI. 

And girds them round him, and appears to fly, 
So impatient is he, downward to the plain. 

The king said to Clorinda, who was by : 
" Xot justly can he go, and thou remain. 

Take then a thousand men of ours, and hie 
To' insure his safety, comrades in his train : 

But let him go alone to plighted fray ; 

Keep thou the troop a little space away." 

XXII. 

This said, he ceas'd, and when in arms array' d, 
They of the rampart issued to the mead : 

Argante rode before them, and display'd 
The usual armature upon his steed. 

There lay between the walls and the stoccade 
A spot from slopes and every roughness freed, 

Large and capacious, and it seem'd to yield, 

As if t'were form'd by art, a battle-field. 

XXIII. 

Thither descended fierce Argante alone : 
There stay'd he in the sight of all his foes ; 

From his huge bulk, huge pow'r, huge courage, grown 
Too proud, and seeming to threat all with woes. 

Such erst Enceladus when overthrown 
In Phlegra, such the vast Philistine rose 

In the low vale : but many fear'd him nought, 

The lesson of his strength being still untaught. 



100 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VI. 

XXIV. 

Not yet lias Godfrey chosen as the best 

One from the many whom his camp supplies. 
Yet all then glances seem at once to rest 

On Tancred with affection in their eyes ; 
And clearly do their favouring looks attest 

That highest mid the high his merits rise : 
And murm'ring round no doubtful whisper went : 
And Godfrey with his brows express'd consent. 

xxv. 
The rest withdrew their claims and Bouillon now 

Xo longer kept conceal' d his own desire : 
"Go," said he to him ; " gladly I allow 

Thine issuing forth ; go check that felon's ire." 
He, beaming joy and courage from his brow, 

In such a cause made champion, from his squire 
Call'd for his helmet and his horse aloud, 
Then left the trenches follow'd by a crowd : 

XXVI. 

Xor yet had near'd the broad and level green, 
On which Argante had assum'd his place, 

When lo ! the warrior-maid with foreign mien 
Appears before him there in all her grace. 

Her upper robes were whiter than the sheen 
Of highest Alpine snows, and from her face 

She held her visor rais'd, and on a height 

In her full stature gleam'd upon the sight. 

XXVII. 

Xo longer Tancred gazes where his foe 

Lifts up to heav'n that front which threatens ill. 

But moves his steed with gentle pace and slow, 
Turning his eyes tow'rd her upon the hill, 

Then fix'd remains, and like a stone doth show ; 
All cold without, yet inly boiling still : 

Bent but on gazing, all the mien he wears 

Of one who little now for battle cares. 

XXVIII. 

Xow when Argante in the field espied 

Xo one preparing yet for the career ; 
" Hither I came for love of arms," he cried ; 

" TTho comes to meet me then, and break a spear i ' 
The other, stunn'd as 'twere, and stupefied, 

Was riveted and seem'd no sound to hear. 
Then Otho forward made his charger spring, 
And enter'd first into the vacant ring. 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 101 

XXIX. 

One of the many who at first had glow'd 

\Vith strong de sire to meet the Pagan knight, 
He had retir'cl for Tancred, and then rode 

\Vith others in his train to do him right. 
Perceiving now his thoughts elsewhere bestow'd. 

And that he stood as restive to the fight, 
The youth, by courage and impatience driven, 
Greedily seiz'd th' occasion which was given. 

xxx. 
And swifter than the pard or tiger young 

Hies through the forest on its eager quest, 
To strike the gallant Saracen he sprung, 

\Vho on the other side laid lance in rest. 
Then Tancred shook himself, and wak'ning flung 

His dreamy thoughts aside, and, self-possess'd, 
Exclaini'd : " The fight is mine ; do thou remain ! " 
But Otho was too far sped o'er the plain. 

XXXI. 

He pauses, and with anger and despite 

Is scorch'd within ; without, as fire, is red, 

Because it seems a wrong beyond requite 
That other should have jousted in his stead. 

Mean while the brave youth struck with all his might 
In mid career the Saracen on the head : 

He in th' encounter with the sharp steel pierc'd 

The hauberk, and had broken the shield first. 

XXXII. 

The Christian fell ; and well the fall avow'd 

How fierce the stroke which him from selle could beat. 

The Pagan, with more force and nerve endow' d, 
Fell not, nor e'en was shaken in his seat : 

These words then with despiteful gesture proud 
Over the fallen knight did he repeat : 

" Yield thyself vanquish'd ; henceforth be the claim 

To have fought with me sufficient for thy fame." 

XXXIII. 

Otho responded : " Xo : 'tis not our use 
So quickly to lay down our arms and ire. 

Another for my fall shall make excuse, 
I will avenge it here, or else expire." 

Then the Circassian let his fury loose, 
Like to Alecto, seeming to breathe fire : 

" Feel then my valour," was his quick reply, 

" Since thou art pieas'd to spurn my courtesy." 



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CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 103 

XXXIX. 

But when they both by venting words of wrong, 
Had thus provok'd each other's pride and ire, 

The one and the' other wheel'd his steed along, 
And made it swiftly for the joust retire. 

Xow here, Muse, make thou my voice more strong, 
And me with rage to match their rage inspire, 

So that my verse may grace with worthy charms 

Their deeds, and echo to the sound of arms. 

XL. 

Both warriors put in rest the knotty spear, 
And both directed their good aim on high ; 

Xor ever was such swiftness of career 

And leap, nor e'er did pennon so rush by, 

Xor fury equal that with which to near 
Assault did Tancred and Argante fly. 

The spears broke on the helms, and forth there new 

A thousand chips and sparks of lucid hue. 

XLI. 

The echo merely of the blows that crash'd 

Mov'd the unmoving earth, made hills resound : 

Yet stroke of force and fury ne'er abash'd 

The pride which on each lofty forehead frown'd. 

The steeds together had so fiercely clash'd, 

That they no more could lift them from the ground. 

These masters then of war their swords drew forth, 

And, quitting stirrups, stay'd their feet on earth. 

XLII. 

Each moves with skilful caution his right hand 
To strike, his eye to ward, his foot to tread, 

Takes various postures, on new guard doth stand, 
Xow wheels, advances now, now back is sped : 

Xow feigns to strike one place which he has scann'd 
And strikes at some un threat en' d place instead : 

Xow to expose his body in some part, 

Attempting thus to mock at art with art. 

XLIII. 

His flank ill-guarded both by shield and blade 

Tancred left open to the Pagan foe, 
\Vho sped to strike him, and meanwhile had laid 

His left side bare of good defence below. 
Prince Tancred with a rapid movement stay'd 

His foe's hard steel, and also dealt a blow : 
This done, without delay he backward drew, 
Gather'd himself, and stood on guard anew. 



L.'l TORQUATO TA3SO. CAM 

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CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 105 

XLIX. 

This people and that other hang suspense 

At spectacle so horrible and new. 
And wait the end 'twixt fear and hope intense, 

"Watching what harm or vantage may ensue ; 
Kor does one sound from all the crowd immense 

Escape, nor smallest motion catch the view, 
But each one stands there silent, and at rest, 
Save that his heart is trembling in his breast. 

L. 

Already both were spent, and would perchance 
Have died untimely fighting ; but so fast 

And dark the night arose that from the glance 
Were fading all things, e'en the near and vast. 

Heralds from either side were seen to' advance 
To part them, and they parted them at last. 

One the Frank Arideus, the' other Pindore 

Expert and sage, he who the cartel bore. 

LI. 

These their pacific sceptres boldly threw 

Between the swords yet whirling in the fight, 

With that security which such men drew 
In every nation from most ancient rite. 

" Warriors," began Pindore, "to each is due 
An equal honor, each has equal might. 

Then cease the combat, and let not your blows 

Disturb night's usages, and its repose. 

LII. 

" To labour while the sun endures is fair, 

But night brings peace e'en to the bird and brute : 

And little does a generous bosom care 

To win night-honor which is hidd'n and mute." 

Argante answer'd him : " Eor shaded air 
I like not to abandon arm'd dispute : 

Yet for the evidence of day I yearn ; 

But let him swear, then, that he will return." 

LIII. 

The other cried : " Do thou, too, plight thy word 
To re-appear, and back thy prisoner lead ; 

Since otherwise shall never be deferr'd 

To later hour the strife in which we bleed." 

They sware, and the' heralds on whom it was conferr'd 
To name the time when battle should proceed, 

To give their honorable wounds repose, 

Fix'd the sixth day what time the sun arose. 



TORQUAIO TA8SO. CAHTO " 

LIV. 

[he frightful conihat left within the mind 
Of Saracens and Faithful ones impress "d 

A wonder deep, a horror undefin'd. 

Which stiis them for long season without rest 

Sole theme for speech in the two knights they find 

And oft the daring valour of both attest; 
I at as to which was worthier of the two. 
The crowd still prattle with discordant view. 

LV. 

And in suspense awaiting how the tale 

Of the ferocious strife would end, they stood, 

If fury over valour would prevail. 

Or rashness would succumb to hardihood 

But fair Einiinia felt more grief and bale 
Than others who were interested could ; 

Since on the issue of uncertain strife 

She sees depend her better part of life. 

LYI. 

Of her Cassano was the kingly si:-. 

Who once o'er Antioch held imperial sway; 
His kingdom ta'en. the Christian pow'rs acquire 

Her also amid other noble prey. 
But scarce to burst her bonds did she lesire, 

So kind was Tancred in her evil day. 
And in her country's miserable fall, 
She still was honor'd as if queen of all. 

lvii. 
Th' egregious knight honor'd her, and became 

Her servant, so that she was thrall no more ; 
And to her use he yielded up his claim 

To her gems, her gold, and all her precious store. 
She, seeing in a young and graceful frame 

A truly regal mind, gave herself o'er 
To Love, who never knot more firmly drew 
Than that which over her young heart he threw. 

Lvin. 
Thus if her body were again set free, 

Yet evermore in bonds reinaind her soul 
Much did she grieve that she was foic'd to flee 

From her dear lord and place of sweet control; 
But comely pride, which lady of high degree 

Must evermore preserve intact and whole, 

ustrain'd her to go forth and seek another 
More friendly country with her aged mothr:. 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 107 

LIX. 

She hied her to Jerusalem, and was here 

Welcom'd by him who held the Hebrew throne ; 

But soon beside her hapless mother's bier 

In mourning weeds she made distressful moan. 

Yet neither grief for loss of one so dear, 
Nor woeful exile in a land unknown, 

Pluck'd from her heart the amorous desire, 

Xor quench'd one sparkle of so great a fire. 

LX. 

She lov'd, poor girl, and burn'd • and thus bested 

Had but so little left to hope at best, 
That more with mem'ry than with hope she fed 

The fire which was conceal'd within her breast ; 
And ever did her flame the more make head 

As 'twas in more secluded place repress'd. 
At last, to fan her hope extinct almost, 
Tancred before Jerusalem join'd the host. 

LXI. 

When first so many savage tribes were seen 
The others had express' d their fears aloud : 

She made her turbid countenance serene, 

And joyful gaz'd upon the squadrons proud j 

And went on searching still with glances keen 
Her dearly lov'd one 'mong that armed crowd. 

She sought him oft in vain ; yet would succeed 

Not seldom, and exclaim : " Tis he, indeed !" 

LXII. 

High mid the regal palace doth arise 

An ancient tow'r, not distant from the wall, 

And from its top the eye distinctly spies 

The Christian host, the plains and mountains all. 

Here from what hour the sun relumes the skies 
Till night throws o'er the world a dusky pall 

She sits and bends her glances tow'rd the plain, 

And parleys with her thoughts, and sighs in vain. 

LXIII. 

Here she beheld the fight, and in her breast 
Had felt her heart so strongly palpitate, 

That it appear'd to say : Thy dearest, best, 
Is yonder, he whose risk of death is great ! 

With anguish and suspicion thus oppress'd, 
She watch'd the event of an uncertain fate 3 

And ever when the Pagan's sword arose 

Felt in her soul the iron and the blows. 



108 rORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VI 

LXIV. 

But when she found the truth, and also found 
That the rough contest needs must be renew'd. 

Unwonted terror seiz'd her heart, and hound 
In icy chains the current of her blood. 

Then secret tears, then groans with smother d sound 
Were wrung from her in her distressful mood ; 

Wan, lifeless, and desponding in her air, 

She seeni'd the breathing picture of despair. 

LXV. 

At times her thoughts disturb her and affright 

With images of horror e'en by day : 
And worse than death far is her sleep at night, 

So strange the phantoms passing in array. 
She seems to gaze on her beloved knight 

All torn and bleeding, and to hear Mm pray 
For help to her : then, startled from her sleeping, 
She finds her eyes and bosom wet with weeping. 

LXVI. 

Xor does the fear of future ills alone 

With ever anxious movement shake her soul ; 
But sorrow at his wounds too plainly shown 

Calls forth emotion deep beyond control. 
And rumour makes tilings distant and unknown 

o 

TTax great, and substitutes for part the whole : 
So that she learn d the gallant warrior lay 
At the last gasp, breathing his life away. 

LXVII. 

And since she by her mother had been taught 

What virtue most abstruse from herbs may spring, 
TThat charms on wounded limbs accomplish aught 

Of healing, and from pain expel the sting, 
(An art which usage in that country sought 

To hand down to the daughters of the king) 
With her own hand she gladly would have pour'd 
Health's balm upon the wounds of her dear lord. 

lxviii. 
To tend the lov'd one is her heart's whole aim ; 

And yet, alas ! she now must cure his foe. 
At times she thinks to sprinkle o ? er his frame 

Fell juice of herbs to work him mortal woe : 
But soon her pure and virgin hands disclaim 

Malignant arts, and such intent forego. 
Yet longs she that each herb and spell employ' d 
For such a purpose may at least be void. 



OANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 109 

LXIX. 

Xor would she fear to wander forth alone 
Mid foes, for erst a pilgrim she had been, 

Had witness'd wars and heard men's dying moan, 
And led a life of doubt, fatigue, and teen ; 

So that from use her woman's mind had grown 
Above her nature resolute and keen, 

Nor could be lightly niov'd, nor strick'n with fear 

At each less grave alarm which might appear. 

LXX. 

Rash love, however, more than other cause 
Drove every terror out of her soft breast : 

And she'd believe the poison and the claws 
Of Lybian brutes would never her molest. 

But surely if for life she will not pause, 

Yet for her good name fear and care were best. 

Thus in her heart a doubtful strife arose 

Twixt Love and Honor, two redoubted foes. 

LXXI. 

The one pleads thus : " virgin, who hast grac'd 
My laws till now, and hast preserv'd them all, 

I ever kept thy mind and members chaste 

When to the foe thou wert a ministering thrall ; 

And now, rest or 'd to freedom, wilt thou waste 
The honor which thou sav'dst in prisoning wall 1 

Ah ! who can wake in thy soft bosom now 

These thoughts ? What thinkest, ah ! what hopest thou I 

LXXII. 

" Canst thou so lightly prize thy maiden fame, 

And to the worth of honor be so blind, 
As to go forth by night, lit by love's flame, 

To win contempt from enemies unkind 1 
Whence thy proud victor justly may exclaim, 

' Thou hast lost thy realm, and lost thy regal mind ; 
Thou art not worthy of me,' and concede 
Thee, vulgar, to the rest a worthless meed." 

LXXIII. 

The other more treacherous counsellor, not slow, 
With lies like these allures her to take flight : 

" Thou wert not born of savage bear, ah no, 
Not of a cold rough rock, maiden bright, 

That thou should'st spurn at Cupid's torch and bow, 
And ever fly from all which may delight : 

Xor steel nor adamant infolds thy heart, 

That thou should'st feel asham'd of love's dear smart. 



110 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VI. 

LXXIV. 

" All go, then, whither thy desires incline : 
But why the victor so relentless feign 1 

Hast thou not mark'd his grief arise at thine, 
And how he plain' d at hearing thee complain 1 

Cruel to move so slow to thy design, 

To tend thy faithful one, and soothe his pain. 

Kind Tancred faints, ! savage and ingrate, 

And thou art watching o'er another's fate. 

LXXV. 

" Yes, let Argante be restor'd by thee 

That he may thrust thy saviour to the grave. 

From thy devoir is't thus thou wilt be free ] 
Is this the bright reward which he shall have ? 

Yet is it possible that thou should' st be 
In this fell office such a willing slave, 

That simple horror and disgust can fail 

To make thee fly from hence swift as the gale ? 

LXXVI. 

" ! how this kindly duty would be crown'd, 

With what delight and joy wouldst thou be bless' d, 

If but thy pitying healing hand were found 
Approaching gently near his valorous breast ! 

Since thy dear lord, by thee made whole and sound, 
Would tinge his face, so pale now and distress'd, 

And all his charms, else doom'd to vanish soon, 

Thou would' st admire in him as thine own boon. 

LXXVII. 

" Then woulds't thou share his praises in each place, 
And his grand deeds, which will be rung in song : 

Whence he will thrill thee with a pure embrace, 
And happy bridals will thy joy prolong. 

Then pointed at and honor' d wilt thou pace 
The Latian dames and Latian brides among 

Yonder in fairest Italy, where reign 

True chivalry and faith without a stain." 

LXXVIII. 

Flatter' d by hopes like these, ah foolish maid, 
She dreamt of highest bliss which could befall. 

Yet by a thousand doubts she was o'erweigh'd 
How from that spot herself to disenthrall : 

For guards kept watch by turns, and ever stray'd 
Outside the palace, and upon the wall, 

Nor would they during risk of war so great 

Without a weighty cause unbar a gate. 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. Ill 

LXXIX. 

Oft was Erminia wont, as welcome guest 

In the fair champion's neighbouring bow'r to stay ; 

The sun saw them together from the west, 
Together saw them at the birth of day ; 

And when the beams of light were all suppress'd, 
On one sole bed they both together lay ; 

Nor rose a thought, save that of love alone, 

Which one maid to the other would not own. 

LXXX. 

That only one Erminia kept behind, 

And if Clorinda ever heard her moan, 
To other cause her sorrow was assign' d 

And she was thought to mourn her fate alone. 
Being in friendship such as this combin'd 

Forbidd'n admittance was to her unknown, 
And when she came the chamber had no bar, 
Whether the maid in council were, or war. 

LXXXI. 

Thither she came once while Clorinda rode 
To other point, and pensively she stay'd, 

Revolving in herself each art and mode 

By which her stol'n departure could be made. 

While her uncertain mind, which ne er abode 
In settled mood, each various plan survey'd, 

Hung up on high Clorinda's mail she spies, 

Her arms, and outer vestment : then she sighs, 

LXXXII. 

And sighing says : " Ah, happy are the days 
Of yonder maid whose courage is so rare ! 

How much I envy her ! yet not the praise 
I envy, nor the fame, of being fair. 

Her charter'd steps no lengthy robe delays, 
Her valour is not pent in envious lair ■ 

She dons her arms, and if she forth would wend, 

She goes, and neither fears nor shames attend. 

LXXXIII. 

" Ah ! why have Heav'n and nature me denied 
Strength in the limbs and courage in the breast, 

That I too in cuirass and helm may ride 

And change for these the veil and flowing vest ? 

For then nor heat nor cold should turn aside, 
Nor hurricane, nor rain, my ardent quest, 

So that I shouldn't by sun or nightly lamp, 

Companion'd or alone, be arm'd in camp. 



112 TORQUATO TAJBSO. CAXTO yi. 

LXXXIV 

;; Then. merciless Aigante. thou should'st ne'er 

Hare first assail' d my lord in battle ke 
For I had sped before to meet him there, 

And he. perchance, my prisoner here had been, 
And from a loving foe had had to bear 

A yoke of bondage gentle and 3erene : 
And I had felt e'en now that through his chain 
Aline own had been made sweet and gave less pain. 

LXXXV 

" Or else, when first his hand, ah ! not unkind, 
Had cleft my side and all my heart reveal'd, 

I should at least hare thus been dooni'd to find 
The wound of love by stroke of iron heal'd. 

And now in peace my weary frame and mind 
Had rested, and the victor in that field 

Perchance had deign'd to honor with some moans 

And with a tomb my ashes and my bones. 

•• Alas ! for things impossible have I sigh'd, 
And vainly are my foolish thoughts avow'd. 

Shall I then sad and timid here abi 

As though but one of the vile female crowd 1 

Ah no : do thou, my heart, dare and confide. 
AVhy not for once to me be arms allowed ? 

Why can I not sustain the helm and mail 

A little space, though I be soft and frail ! 

"Yes. yes. I can. for ~Loye will give me might, 
Who makes the weakest bosom bravely bei 

Goaded by whom, e'en peaceful deer invite 
The peril often, and in war compete. 

Yet with these arms have I no wish to fight, 
But practise with them an expert deceit. 

Feign me Cloiinda. and clisguis'd like her. 

Be sure of issuing forth without demur. 

LXXXVIII. 

" The guards of the tall gates will not cleny 

Egress to her who is so widely known. 
I ponder, yet no other mode descry : 

This way is open. I believe, alone. 
These gtiiltless frauds let Love, who breath'd them, eye 

Propitious, and let Fortune keep unskown. 
And now's the hour when I may best take wing, 
While still Clorinda tarries with the king." 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 113 

LXXXIX. 

Thus she resolves, and, goaded and inspir'd 

By Love's blind fury, will no longer stay, 
But hastes to carry off the arms acquir'd 

To her own chamber, which adjoining lay. 
And this she could, because all else retir'd 

TVTien she arriv'd, and thus made clear the way. 
Night's mantle, too, was o'er her theft suspended, 
And thieves and lovers it alike befriended. 

xc. 
Seeing the heav'ns grow darker to the view, 

And some few scatter'd stars already shine, 
She calls a squire, nor lets delays ensue, 

On whose trustworthiness she could recline, 
And one, too, of her handmaids lov'd and true, 

And opens to them partly her design ; 
Unfolds her scheme of flight, and feigns with art 
That other cause compels her to depart. 

xci. 
The faithful squire with expedition made 

Such preparation as he thought was meet. 
Aside in the mean time Erminia laid 

Her pompous robe descending to the feet, 
And graceful stood in simple dress array'd, 

And all her movements were incredibly fleet : 
Nor save from her who had obey'd the call 
To attend her, had she other help at all. 

XCTI. 

The galling and obdurate steel is bound 
Upon her delicate neck and golden hair ; 

Her tender hand has grasp'd the shield, and found 
Its weight oppressive and too hard to bear. 

Thus rob'd in iron she shines all around, 
And pranks her in a military air. 

Love, who was near and inly smil'd, look'd down 

Rejoic'd as when Alcides wore the gown. 

XCIII. 

! with what toil she lifts along the floor 

Th' unequal weight, and moves with steps how slow ! 

And makes her faithful handmaid walk before 
To give her some support ere she can go. 

But love and hope still make her spirits soar, 
And strength on every weary limb bestow ; 

So that they reach to where the squire is plac'd 

In waiting, and to saddle mount in haste. 



114 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VI. 

XCIV. 

They go disguis'd, and artfully conceal 

Their route through ways deserted and untried : 
Yet they encounter many, and with steel 

Observe the dark air sparkling far and wide. 
But none dares hinder them, where'er they wheel, 

But, yielding them the path, each steps aside, 
For that white mantle, and that ensign dread 
E'en in the darkling shades are clearly read. 

xcv. 
Erminia, though with somewhat better cheer 

And less of doubt, feels not in safety quite, 
But dreads her arts will at the last be clear, 

And looks on her own rashness with affright. 
Yet having reach' d the gate she checks her fear, 

And cheats him who should guard its pass aright : 
" I am Clorinda," said she, " ope the gate ; 
" The king hath sent me on affairs of state." 

XCVI. 

The female voice, which on his ear had thrill'd 

So like Clorinda's, aided the deceit. 
"Who could suppose another maid, unskill'd 

In feats of arms, would mount on knightly seat ] 
The porter soon obeys, with rev'rence fill'd • 

She and the two pass quickly, and retreat. 
And for their safety, down the vales they wend 
Through paths which lengthen evermore and bend. 

_ XCVII. 

But when Erminia sees her in the vast 

And lonely plain, her speed is somewhat reined, 

Eor she concludes that the first risks are past, 
And dreads no more that she shall be detained. 

On what at first she lightly thought, at last 

She deeply thinks, and harder than was feigned 

By swift desire she well perceiv'd must be 

Her entrance thither, whatsoe'er the plea. 

XCVIII. 

She now sees that to go mid savage foes 

In military guise is madness quite : 
Nor on the other hand would she expose 

Herself to others ere she reach' d her knight. 
With secure honor him to reach she chose, 

Unlook'd-for lover, secret as the night ; 
Wherefore she halted, and more cautious made 
By better thought, thus to her squire she said : 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 115 

XCIX. 

" Tis meet that thou should'st, my faithful squire, 

Preclusive hie, but be thou prompt and wise. 
Go to the camp, and there a guide acquire 

To introduce thee where Prince Tancred lies ; 
Tell him a lady comes with great desire 

To heal him, one too who for peace applies, 
Peace from the war of Love, whence he may gain 
Health for himself, and I relief from pain. 

c. 
" Say that she has in him a faith so sure 

That in his hands she fears nor wrong nor scorn. 
Say only this ; if more he would allure, 

Say that thou know'st it not, and quick return. 
I, since this spot appears to me secure, 

Will tarry here till thy success I learn." 
Thus spake the lady ; and that loyal squire 
Swift as if wing'd, flew forth at her desire ; 

ci. 
And dealt so ably that with greeting kind 

He was receiv'd within the barrier'd space, 
And then being brought to where the knight reclin'd, 

Caus'd him to hear the message with glad face : 
And having left him now who in his mind 

Conn'd many a doubtful thought upon the case, 
Brought back to her the sweet response that she 
Might enter hidd'n as closely as might be. 

en. 
But she meanwhile impatient, to whom seems 

Too grievous and annoying all delay, 
Counts to herself that other's steps, and deems 

He now arrives, goes in, should come away. 
Already to her sorrow she esteems 

That less than wonted speed doth he display. 
At last she rushes on, and mounts to where 
The tents, afar descried, begin to' appear. 

cm. 

It was the night, and it unfurl'd its veil 

Cloudless and spangled with the starry host ; 

And now the rising moon threw down her pale 
Insilver'd rays and living pearls of frost. 

Th' enamour' d lady told the heav'ns her tale, 
Venting each .flame as it assail'd her most ; 

And the long secret of her love resign'd 

To the mute fields, and to that silence kind. 



116 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO VI. 



CIV. 

Tlien cried she. gazing at the camp once more : 

;i Ye Latian tents, delightful to mine eve. 
Refreshing is the air now wafted o'er 

From you, and comforting, for ye are nigh. 
So may some fair repose be kept in store 

By Heav'n for this my troubled life as I 
Seek it in you alone, and seem mid arms 
Alone to find sweet peace with all its charms. 

cv. 
" Eeeeive me then, and let me here obtain 

That pity which Love promis'd me ere while. 
And which, when I was loom 1 to gentle chain. 

I heretofore saw in my sw^et lord's smile. 
Not am I niov'd by wishes to regain 

By favoring aid from you my regal style : 
Though this should never be. that which I crave 
Is joy enough to be in you a slave." 

cvi. 
So spake she who perceiv'd not what dismay 

Was waiting her at fortune's spiteful call. 
She stands just where the fair celestial ray 

Haps on her burnish'd arms direct to fall. 
So that their shine, and the fair lights that play 

Around her are perceiv'd from far by all : 
And the grand tiger each one may espy 
Sparkling in silver, and "Tis she !" may cry. 

era. 
Some warriors near, such was her fortune's spite. 

Had just dispos'd a pow'rful ambuscade ; 
Their leaders were two Latian brothers, hight 

Alcander and Polyphem. whom Godfrey bade 
Stay flocks and herds, whether by day or night. 

From being pass'd in to the Saracen's aid : 
And if the servant pass'd. it was indeed 
Because he made a curve, and ran with speed. 

Cvni. 

Young Polyphem, who by Clorinda's hand 
Some time before had seen his father slain, 

Soon as that white and lovely diess h. 1 s ::-.::::' 1. 
Was sure he saw the warrior maid again, 

And urg'd against her the still hidden band, 
And pow'rless in his sudden rage to rein 

Th' emotion of his heart, with furious glance 

He cried. " Thou'rt dead." and vainlv hurl'd his knee. 



CANTO VI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 117 

CIX. 

As when the stag, who thirsty would explore 

For clear and living waters all the glade, 
And sees a lovely fountain bubhling o'er 

The stone, or brook with arching boughs o'erlaid, 
If it meet hounds when thinking to restore 

Its wearied body in the summer shade, 
Turns back in flight, and terror's sudden burst 
Makes it forget its weariness and thirst. 

ex. 
So she who thought to quench the thirsty heat 

Diffus'd in her weak heart by love unkind, 
In gracious welcomes with all joy replete, 

And to give rest to her o'erweary mind, 
When she meets one who crushes hope so sweet, 

And hears the sound of steel and threats combin'd, 
Abandons her own self and first intent, 
And spurs her nimble steed, with terror shent. 

CXI. 

Hapless Erminia flies, and her good steed 

Bounds o'er the soil at the most rapid pace. 
The other lady flies too, and with speed 

Them the fierce youth and many arm'd men chase. 
See from the tents meanwhile the squire proceed 

With the slow news, and, doubtful for a space, 
He, like the others, gives his horse the rein, 
And terror scatters them along the plain. 

cxn. 
But the more prudent brother, by whose eye 

The false Clorinda had been also seen, 
Would not pursue her, having been less nigh, 

But kept himself still in his ambush' d screen \ 
And to the camp he made a courier fly 

To say no herd of oxen there had been, 
Xor fleecy drove ■ but that his brother sped 
Chasing Clorinda, who in fear had fled. 

CXIII. 

And that he could not think, and reas'n said nay, 
That she, a leader, and not only a knight, 

Would choose to sally under the moon's ray 
Upon an enterprise which could be slight. 

But let the Chieftain judge, for to obey 

Was their' s, and to perform his hest aright. 

Such news soon reach'd the camp, and first there went 

A sound of it along the Latin tent. 



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119 



CAXTO VII. 

ARGUMENT. 

Lovesick Erminia, after having fled, 

Is kindly welcom'd by a shepherd swain. 

Tancred in vain seeks for her ; and is led 
At last nnwares to enter charm' d domain. 

Then rises Raymond 'gainst Argante dread, 
To beat down his presumption, vast as vain ; 

He fights for God, and God for him ; but still 

Hell moves against him both its force and skill. 

I. 
Meanwhile Erniinia comes by her steed's flight 

To where a dark wood's hoary trees are spread ; 
Xor guides her trembling hand the reins aright, 

And seems she as if 'twixt alive and dead. 
The steed who bears her at his mercy quite 

Wheels through so many paths with rapid tread, 
That in the end she vanishes from view, 
And now 'tis vain for others to pursue. 

ii. 
As after lengthened and fatiguing chase 

The hounds return, a sad and panting train, 
Finding that they have lost the wild beast's trace, 

Stol'n into cover now from the' open plain, 
So with, deep shame and anger on their face, 

The weary Christian knights move back again. 
She timid and dismay'd persists to fly, 
Xor turns to see if still pursuit be nigh. 

in. 
All night she fled ; all day too o'er the ground 

She wander' d without guide or settled quest, 
And neither heard nor saw she aught around 

Save her own cries and tear-drops unrepress'd ; 
But when the sun from golden car unbound 

His coursers and in ocean sought his nest, 
She reach' d where Jordan's limpid waters stray, 
And on its bank dismounting, there she lay. 



120 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VII. 

IV. 

Xo food she takes, for to her woe she clings 

Thus fed, nor thirst except for weeping knows : 
Bat sleep which with its sweet oblivion brings 

To wretched mortals qniet and repose, 
Lulls both her griefs and senses, and its wings 

Placidly and serenely o'er her close : 
Nor e'en when she is sleeping does Love cease 
With various phantoms to disturb her peace. 

v. 
She woke not till there fell upon her ear 

The merry notes of birds at dawning hour, 
The murmur of the trees, and river clear, 

The sporting of the breeze with wave and flow'r. 
She opes her languid eyes, and sees now here 

Now there a shepherd's lonely cot or bow'r ; 
And from the waves and boughs there seems to rise 
A voice recalling her to plaints and sighs. 

VI. 

But while she is thus weeping, her lament 
Is broken by a clear sound from the glade, 

Which seems, and is, of pastoral accents blent 
With notes of rustic pipe artlessly play'd. 

She rises and moves slowly on, intent, 

And sees a grey old man i' the pleasant shade 

Weaving of basket-work, his flocks among, 

And list'ning to his three young children's song. 

VII. 

They, when appear'd so suddenly in that place 
Th' unwonted arms, were smitten with despair : 

Erminia greets them, and with sweetest grace 
Cheers them, and bares her eyes and golden hair. 

" Pursue," she cries, " enviable race, 
Belov'd of Heav'n, your tasks which are so fair ; 

For be assur'd these arms will never bring 

War on your works, and the sweet songs ye sing." 

VIII. 

She adds : " father, now that all around 

The country flames with war, and rings with blows, 

How without fear of wrong amid the stound 
Can ye continue in this calm repose ? " 

" My son," responded he, " upon this ground 
My family and flock unhurt by foes 

Have ever dwelt, nor yet have felt alarms 

In so retir'd a spot from sound of arms. 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 121 

IX. 

" Whether the grace of Heav'n save and upraise 

The lowliness of innocent shepherd swain, 
Or whether, as the dread electric blaze 

Eifts the high tops and not the lowly plain, 
So the fierce brant of foreign battle weighs 

But on the heads of those who proudly reign, 
Xor does our poverty, despis'd and vile, 
Attract the greed of soldiers for the spoil : 

x. 
" Despis'd and vile to them, to me so dear 

That I desire not gold nor regal vest : 
Nor climbing thoughts nor greedy longings rear 

Their structures ever in my tranquil breast. 
I quench my thirst in water pure, nor fear 

That treacherous poison will the draught infest ; 
And this small garden and my flock afford 
Unbought provision for my frugal board. 

XI. 

" For small is our desire, and small our need 
Whence life may be preserv'd from day to day. 

These are my sons I point at, and they feed 
And guard my sheep ; no servants do I pay. 

Thus do I live in cell retir'd indeed, 
Watching the nimble goat and roebuck play, 

And fish in this pellucid stream glide by, 

And birds expand their plumage to the sky. 

XII. 

" Time was when most the thoughts of man are vain, 

In early age, other was my desire ; 
And shepherd's task I look'd on with disdain, 

And from my native land must needs retire : 
And liv'd at Memphis once, and mid the train 

Of royal servants I too could aspire ; 
And though I tended gardens, it is true, 
Th' iniquity of courts I saw and knew. 

XIII. 

" And flatter'd still by hopes o'erbold and high, 
Long time endur'd I most displeasing wrong : 

But when not only flowery age pass'd by, 

But hope too fail'd, and all my courage strong, 

I mourn'd the calm these lowly haunts supply, 
And sigh'd for peace which I had lost so long • 

And said : Ye courts,, adieu ! Thus to the green 

And friendly woods I hied, and live serene." 



122 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VII. 

XIV. 

Erniinia, while lie spake thus without art, 

Intent and quiet, hung on his sweet word ; 
And that wise speech, which went down to her heart, 

Half calrn'd the storms by which her sense was stirr'd. 
And she resolves, after much thought apart, 

To dwell in that deep solitude till she heard 
That fortune, which as yet had been so stern, 
At least should render easy her return. 

xv. 
\Vhence to the good old man she says : " blest, 

Who know'st the wisdom which past ill bestows, 
May Heav'n not envy thee so sweet a rest, 

As thou art mov'd with pity for my woes, 
And me receivest as a grateful guest 

In this thy home where I would fain repose. 
Perchance my heart may in this calm abode 
Shake off a portion of its mortal load. 

XVI. 

" For if thou long for what the vulgar adore 
E'en as their very idols, gems and gold, 

Thou may'st, I have with me so great a store, 
Content thy wish however uncontroll'd." 

Then while her lovely eyes were streaming o'er 
AVith drops of grief, which sparkled as they roll'd, 

She told in part her fortunes ; and the swain 

In pity plain'd meanwhile to hear her plain. 

XVII. 

Then sweetly he consol'd and cheer'd his guest 

As if he felt for her paternal care, 
And led her to the ancient spouse who bless'd 

His home, and made with him a genial pair. 
The royal maiden dons a rustic vest, 

And girds a coarser veil around her hair ; 
But in the movements of her limbs and eyes 
Xo dweller of the woodland one descries. 

XVITI. 

Vile habit shrouds not noble light from view, 
]$ot what in her is gentle, and is proud ; 

And still her regal majesty shines through 
The humblest act to which she now is bow'd. 

She leads with her poor crook to pastures new, 
And back to the shut fold, the fleecy crowd ; 

And presses from rough teats the milky stream, 

And in the hollow wheel congeals the cream. 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 123 

XIX. 

Oft when her sheep, what time the heats oppress 

In summer, lay them down within the shade, 
She prints all ways the name she loves to bless 

On beech and laurel with a slender blade, 
And carves on many a tree the sad success 

Of her young love so strange and unrepaid : 
And then, while reading her own notes again, 
Waters her lovely cheeks with tearful rain. 

xx. 
Then she says, weeping : " On your barks impress'd, 

Ye friendly trees, preserve this piteous tale, 
That if some faithful lover ever rest 

Beneath your grateful shade, he may not fail 
To feel sweet pity wak'ning in his breast 

At all the varied woes which I bewail, 
And may exclaim : Ah ! cruel meed and wrong 
Have Love and Fortune dealt to faith so strong. 

xxi. 
" Perchance 'twill hap, if Heav'n benign attend 

Ever to any passionate mortal pray'r, 
That some time to these woods may also wend 

He who perchance now feels for me no care ; 
And while his eyes to the low spot may bend 

Where lie these frail remains in their last lair, 
Yield to my snfT'rings then the tardy prize 
Of some few trifling tears and passing sighs : 

XXII. 

" Whence if through life my heart has throbb'd with 
My spirit at least in death may happy be, [pain, 

And the cold ashes of its fires may gain 

That which can never now be gain'd by me." 

Thus to the heedless boughs does she complain, 
And her two eyes gush forth like fountains free. 

Tancred meanwhile in chase of her proceeds 

Far far away whither his fortune leads. 

XXIII. 

Pursuing still the traces lately made, 

He turn'd his courser to the forest nigh ; 

But here there fell so drear and dense a shade 
From bristling trees which intercept the sky, 

That the new marks no more can be survey'd 
Among them ; and he therefore doubtfully 

Stretches his ears intently all around 

If hoof or clang of arms give out a sound. 



124 T0RQUAT0 TASSO. CANTO VII. 

XXIV. 

And aye if the nocturnal breezes make 

The tender leaf of elm or beech to play, 
If beast or bird cause but a spray to shake, 

Quick to that trifling sound he points his way. 
At last he quits the wood, induc'd to take 

A path unknown, but lit by the moon's ray, 
Tow'rd a far sound which now becomes his aim 
Until he reach the spot from whence it came. 

xxv. 
He comes where gush from out the living stone 

Clear sparkling waves with ever fresh supplies, 
And downward roll, into a river grown, 

With noisy pace where verdant banks arise. 
Here he restrains his steps, with mutter'd moan, 

And calls, but only echo heeds his cries • 
And sees Aurora rise in the meanwhile 
Fair and vermilion with a tranquil smile. 

XXVI. 

He groans indignant, and to vent his spite 

'Gainst Heav'n, which balks his venturous hope, he 

But to take vengeance if offence how slight [dares ; 
Soe'er be offer' d to his lady, swears. 

At last resolves he to retrace his flight, 

Although to find the path he half despairs, 

Eememb'ring that the day prescribed is near 

When he must fight th' Egyptian cavalier. 

XXVII. 

He quat, and, pacing doubtful paths along, 
Heard a steed aye advance to where he rode, 

Till issuing from a narrow vale there sprung 
At last a man who like a courier show'd : 

He plied a whip, and from the shoulder swung 
A silver horn, as is with us the mode. 

Him Tancred asks in what direction lies 

The way to where the Christian tents arise. 

XXVIII. 

In Tuscan language : " Thither am I bent, 

Sent hastily by Boemond," he averr'd. 
Tancred, who deem'd him by his uncle sent, 

Follow'd him, trusting to his treach'rous word. 
At last they reach a lake whose waters, blent 

With mud most filthy and unwholesome, gird 
A castle, just what time the sun subsides 
Into the ample nest where night abides. 



CANTO vil. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 125 

XXIX. 

The courier on arriving sounds the horn, 
And soon a bridge is notic'd to descend. 

" Since thou art Latin, here ruay'st thou sojourn," 
He tells him, " till the gloom of night shall end ; 

For this place, and not yet is the third morn, 
Did Count Cosenza from the Pagan rend." 

The warrior eyes the spot whose every part 

Is made impregnable by site and art. 

XXX. 

Then somewhat doubts he that perchance obscured 
Within a house so strong some treach'ry lies : 

But yet, as one to risks of death inured, 

He drops no word, nor shows aught in his guise ; 

For by his own hand will he be secured 

Whate'er the path which fate or choice devise, 

Although his sword to other battle due 

Makes him incliff'rent to adventure new : 

XXXI. 

So that before the fort where on a green 

The curv'd pontoon outstretch' d itself and lay, 

He stopt, and, though invited, woidd not lean 
On the false word of him who led the way. 

Meanwhile upon the bridge a knight was seen 
Fierce and disdainful a]l in arm'd array, 

Who, in his right hand holding a bare sword, 

Utter'd this threatening and ferocious word : 

XXXII. 

" thou who, by thy will or fortune led 

Arrivest at Armida's charm'd domain, 
In vain would'st thou retreat ; unhelm thy head, 

And stretch thy captive hands to wear her chain. 
Yet enter the barr'd port with fearless tread 

Upon the terms which others all obtain ; 
]S~or hope to see again the light of day 
Through lapse of years or change of hair to grey, 

XXXIII. 

" Unless thou swear, like all her train, to fight 
'Gainst whosoever is from Jesu nam'd." 

On him thus speaking Tancred fix'd his sight, 

And who he was, both arms and voice proclaimed, 

Eambald of Gascony was this, the knight 
"Who set out with Armida, nor had sham'd 

For her to become Pagan, and uphold 

Th' atrocious usage practis'd there of old. 



• - • ---*-- • 



liio iorcvaio tasso. yro vn. 

The pi: "5 warriir's hhv rage inhaied 

His :a:e va:a red. a a:!. •• Iaaaias vrretch a* he :r:ed. 

Have girt the sword. :.:::i i::.: Hi- ::aoa:aa tried. 
And His rod ehh as h.ave throngh Haa s:;d dtted. 

Ui Heav'n. vrhd vrreak ::i thee : vengeance dire." 

XXXV. 

The Laaaas aaAa:. heath:,: that h::>ri:irs Aarae. 
Was ranch, disturb'd, and all his colour fled ; 

Ye:. hidaAr; fear, hr :rie:! : " Ah wreath, what a in 

Has light thee wheTe thqn most remain as dead ? 
Here shall thy force be beaten and made tame, 

And sever":! s::n shah de thv haaightv head. 
And sent to :he F::Ah :hiets a gift a::;! vow. 
I: ::her :haA In w:a: I be a:: a:w." 

XXX "A. 

Thus said the Pagan : and because the day 

Was spent already, and scarcely aught was seen, 

So many lamps around shot forth their ray 
That all the air was lucid and serene. 

TAe :as:h a:::> as wheA nowds satrvev 
Amid nocturnal pomp theatric scene ; 

Aii there Arrni.da Seats he as eh a: hihh 
Whence AAesAiea she :a doth hear a:::! spy. 

XXX VII- 

Aleanwliile the generous hero without dread 

Prepares f:r the teh strife his ams and Alight. 
N r stays upon his horse now ill-bested, 

Seeing the : be c me forth on foot to fight. 
He : : Ais inclos'd in shield, with helm on head. 

An:! svAii. hi h: a :. and in the :a t; sAiite. 
The savage Prir.ce advances t:wrd hAA straight 
With asret pin and dreadful voice elate. 

XXXVIII. 

One wheels his steps in curves of ample scale 

And, close in aims, pretends and feigns his blows : 

The other, though his limbs be tir'd and frail^ 
Goes resolute, draws near, and tries to close : 

And whensoever he sees Eambald quail, 
On with extreme velocity he goes, 

Pushes, treads on him, and with thundering hand 

Directs against his eyes the frequent brand. 



CAXTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 127 

XXXIX. 

And more than against other spot he deals 

Fierce blows where the most vital parts appear, 

Still utt'ring with the blow, as the blade wheels, 
The haughtiest threats, and adding harm to fear. 

Here, there, the ready Gascon turns, and steals 
His nimble members from the stroke when near ; 

And now with shield, and now with sword, is fain 

To make the hostile fury fall in vain. 

XL. 

But not so swift to parry when attack 'd 

Is he as is the other prompt to smite. 
His shield is batter'd now, his helm is crack' d, 

And pierc'd and bloody are his arms once bright ; 
And not one blow of his of all in fact 

Tells so as e'en to wound th' opposing knight : 
He fears, and all corroding passions move 
Within his heart, rage, shame, remorse, and love. 

XLI. 

At last he sets himself at once to try 

With desp'rate war the issue of his fate : 

He drops his shield, grasps with both hands on high 
The sword which has not tasted blood, though late : 

And nears and closes with his enemy, 

And lets a blow descend, nor is there plate 

So strong as to prevent its op'ning wide 

A wound with grievous pain in the left side. 

XLII. 

And then he smote on the' ample brows anew, 
So that the stroke resounded like a bell. 

It shook the helm, but did not cleave it through, 
So that he shrunk perforce, and almost fell. 

Into the prince's cheek red anger flew, 

And burn'd and sparkled in his eyes a hell, 

And from the visor shot forth glance of fire 

Mixt with the noise of teeth that gnash' d with ire. 

XLIII. 

The treach'rous Pagan now no more sustains 
E'en the mere sight of fury thus express'd : 

He hears the sword hiss, and amongst his veins 
Already seems to have it in his breast. 

He flies the stroke, which hence expends its pains 
Where a pilaster yields the bridge a rest. 

The chips and sparkles from it hie to heaven, 

And ice into the traitor's heart is driven. 



128 TORQUATO TASSO. C AXTO VII. 

XLIV. 

He flies back to the bridge, and all disinay'd 
Puts every Lope of safety only in flight. 

But Tancred follows, and e'en now has laid 

Hand on his back ; foot touches foot, too. quite, 

When to the fugitive lo lofty aid ! 

The lamps and every star withdraw their light, 

Hbr in th' abandon'd night does e'en a ray 

Of moonlight through the lone air find its way. 

XLV. 

Mid gloom and cantrip wrought by wicked lore 
The victor follows not, nor sees him e'er ; 

IXov aught can spy beside him or before, 

And doubtful moves his foot with much of care. 

By chance he treads the threshold of a door 
Groping, and enters ere he is aware : 

But hears behind him then the portal sound, 

Lock'd in where gloom and foulness reign around. 

XLVI. 

As oft the fish to where our ocean grows 
A marsh spread out in the Comacchian bay, 

Flies from the cruel wave's impetuous blows, 
Seeking for rest where tranquil waters play, 

And thus contrives its own self to enclose 
In marshy prison, nor can escape away ; 

For that enclosure lets with wondrous art 

All enter freely, but not one depart : 

XLVII. 

Thus Tancred (that extraordinary fort 

Was laid out with such method and chicane) 

Unled went in, and found him in a court 
Whence none could extricate himself again. 

With sturdy hand he loudly shook the port, 
But all his efforts were put forth in vain. 

Meanwhile he hears a voice cry : " From this hall 

Thou vainly would'st escajDe, Armida's thrall ! 

XLVITl. 

" Here in a living tomb (all fear abate 

Of instant death) thy days and years shall flow." 
The knight responds not, but keeps down a weight, 

Profound within his heart, of groans and woe. 
And to himself accuses Love, and Fate, 

His own great folly, and some treach'rous foe ; 
And in these silent words his thoughts then run : 
" The loss may be but light to lose the sun : 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 129 

XL1X. 

" But ah ! the sweeter sight have I resign'd 
Of lovelier sun, and know not if I e'er 

Shall hence return to where my mournful mind 
May in those amorous rays cast off its care." 

Thoughts of Argante then come worse behind ; 
" Too much I've fail'd," he cries, " in duty there ; 

And well may he heap on me scornful blame. 

my great fault ! my eternal shame ! " 

L. 

Thus care of love, and care of fame, infest 
And gnaw the warrior's mind in divers ways. 

Now while he vexes, in a downy rest 

The bold Argante joys no more, nor stays. 

Such hate of peace is in his cruel breast, 

Such thirst for bloodshed, and such love of praise, 

That though e'en yet unheal'd his wounds appear, 

He longs that the sixth morning's dawn were here. 

LI. 

The fiery Pagan scarce for sleep applies 
His brow to pillow the preceding night ; 

And rises though so dark are still the skies 
That not a ray is on the mountain height. 

" Bring me my arms ! " then to his squire he cries ; 
Who had arrang'd and kept them ready dight. 

These, not his wonted ones, had been of late 

Griv'n by the monarch, and the gift is great. 

LIT. 

He takes them, nor their texture much has ey'd ; 

And seems with ease the mighty load to bear ; 
He girds his wonted sabre to his side, 

Time-harden'd and of temper the most rare. 
As oft with horrent train, and blood-bedy'd, 

A comet flashes through the parching air, 
Which changes thrones, and fierce diseases brings, 
A light foreboding ill to purple kings : 

MIL 

So flames he forth in arms, and rolls his twisted 
Ill-omen'd eye-balls drunk with blood and ire ; 

His gestures breathe death not to be resisted, 
And from his features threats of death expire. 

Xo soul so assur'd and strong has e'er existed 
That would not tremble at a sight so dire. 

He bares his sword, and lifts and shakes the blade 

With cries, and vainly strikes the air and shade, 

K 



130 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VII. 

LIV. 

"This Christian robber soon/' such was his strain, 
" AVho rashly will himself with me compare, 

Shall fall subdued and bleeding on the plain, 
Befouling in the dust his scatter' d hair ; 

And still alive shall see his armour ta'en 

By this my hand, spite of his God, I swear \ 

Nor shall his dying pray'rs avail to stay 

My giving to the dogs his limbs a prey." 

LV. 

E'en thus the bull, whom jealous passion shakes 
And stings, what time love calls him from repose, 

Roars horribly, and with the roar awakes 
His spirits, and his fiery anger glows ; 

And on the trunks he whets his horn, and makes 
A challenge to the winds with empty blows, 

Beats with his foot the sand, and from afar 

Defies his rival to sharp mortal war. 

LVI. 

Mov'd by such rage as this, he hastes to tell 
The herald with a hoarse and broken cry : 

" Go to the camp, and to the battle fell 
Him who is Jesu's champion there defy/' 

Then tarries he for none, but mounts in selle, 
And has his prisoner led before him nigh, 

Quits the great tow'r, and rushes down the hill 

With course precipitate and madden'd will. 

LVII. 

2\!eanwhile he blows his horn, and thence a sound 
Which rings afar comes horrible and drear ; 

And like the thunder doth its loud rebound 
Offend the ears and hearts of all who hear. 

Already are the Christian princes found 
AVithin that tent larger than all tents near. 

Here gave the herald his challenge, and he nam'd 

Prince Tancred first, yet none were thence disclaim'd. 

LVIII. 

Heavily, slowly round has Godfrey roll'd 

His eyes, with mind by much misgiving stirr'cl ; 

Nor can, though much he think and gaze, behold 
One who to such a task should be preferr'd. 

There lacks the fiow'r of all his warriors bold ; 
X o news at all of Tancred have been heard ; 

Far off is Boemond, and exil'd doth go 

Th* unconquer'd knight who laid Gernando low. 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 131 

LIX. 

And added to the ten by lot assign'd, 

The pro west of the camp and first in fame 

AVent where Armida's treach'rous steps inclin'd, 
Concealing in the silent night their aim. 

The others, less robust of hand and mind, 

Stand there in silence and o'erwhelni'd with shame : 

And none seeks honor at a risk so dear, 

For all their shame is overcome by fear. 

LX. 

The Captain read their horror of that strife 

In their mute lips, their looks, and all their shows, 

And, with a gen'rous indignation rife, 
He suddenly from where he sat arose, 

And said : " Unworthy should I be of life 
If now my life I scrupled to expose, 

Suffering a Pagan in a mode so base 

To trample on the honor of our race. 

LXI. 

" Let my camp sit in peace, and view, secure 

And idle here, my peril gladly sought. 
Up, up, give me my arms ! " And they procure 

That in an instant shall his arms be brought. 
But the good Eaymond, who in age mature 

Was equally mature in wisest thought, 
And with still verdant force equal'd in worth 
All those around, advancing then stepp'd forth • 

Lxir. 
And turning tow'rd him said : " Ah ! 'tis not right 

That all the camp be stak'd upon one throw. 
Thou art our leader, not a simple knight ; 

And public, and not private, tears would flow. 
On thee the Faith rests, and the realm of light; ; 

By thee may Babel's kingdom be laid low. 
Work thou with wisdom and the sceptre alone ; 
By us the steel be us'd, and courage shown. 

LXIII. 

" And this, although by weight of years annoy 'd 
And made to stoop, I never will refuse. 

Let others the fatigues of war avoid, 
Me shall old age not even yet excuse. 

that my early vigour I enjoy 'd 

Like you who now are struck with fear, and choose 

To stand there all unmov'd by wrath or shame 

'Gainst him who taunts you, and enjoys the game ! 



132 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CAXTO VII. 



Lxrv. 

•• And like what once I was when in the view 
Of Germany, while at the court a,? guest 

Of Conracl. second of that name. I slew 
The fiery Leopold, hawing op'd his breast. 

And 'twas a brighter feat of valour true 
To spoil a man so strong of iron rest. 

Than if unarm Yl. unaided, one should chase 

A numerous troop of this ignoble race. 

LXV. 

•'•' Did but that might, that blood in me remain. 

Already had I changYl this proud one's cheer. 
But whatsoeYr I am. my spirits wane 

Xo jot. nor. though an old man. know I fear : 
And if I tarry lifeless on the plain. 

The Pagan's victory shall cost him dear. 
I long to arm : be this the day to cast 
Fresh honors over all my lustres past '" 

LXVI. 

Thus speaks the grand old men : like spurs acute 

His words arouse the valour of each knight. 
Those who at first were timorous and mute 

Have now then tongue made bold and nimblv light. 
IS or merely shun they not the fierce dispute. 

But many ask it now with all their might. 
Baldwin demands it. Guelph and Boger rise. 
Stephen and Gernier. and both the Guys, 

lxvii. 
And Pyrrhus. he who took by famous guile 

For Boemond Antioch's town and all its store : 
And Eosmond seeks it eagerly meanwhile. 

And Everard and Balph, who had come o'er 
From Britain. Scotland, and Ierne's isle. 

Realms parted from our world by ocean's roar : 
TThile Edward, and Gildippe. Levers true 
And spouses, also for that honor sue. 

LXVIII. 

But all these does the fierce old man surpass 
In ardour, which is visible in his face. 

He's arniYl already, and his helm's bright mass 
Alone of all his gear now lacks its place. 

To him says Godfrey : •'■ thou living glass 
Of ancient valour, upon thee our race 

Should gaze and learn true virtue : in thee still 

Shine martial honor, discipline, and skill. 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 133 

LXLIX. 

" that of worth equal to thine were found 
In youthful age ten more among the host, 

Then should I raze proud Babel to the ground, 
And wave the Cross o'er every distant coast. 

But yield, I pray now, and for more renown'd 
And age-befitting task give up this post, 

And suffer that the names of all beside 

Be plac'd in a small urn, and chance decide ; 

LXX. 

" Or rather God decide, who assigns their task 
To Fate and Fortune, bidding them awaken." 

But Baymond persever'd, nor ceas'd to ask 
That with the rest his name be also taken. 

Godfrey collects the scrolls within his casque, 
And after he had lifted it, and shaken, 

On the first scroll extracted from the crowd 

The name of Count Toulouse was read aloud. 

LXXl. 

His name in shouts of joy rang through the place, 
And the issue of the lot was blam'd by none. 

He with fresh vigour fills his front and face ; 
And seems as if his youth again were won, 

Like the fierce snake which wrapt in its new case 
Flames forth with gold, and glistens in the sun. 

But more than others does he Chief applaud, 

Foretell his victory, and give him laud. 

LXXII. 

Ungirding then his own sword from his side, 
And tow'rd him holding it, he thus exclaim' d : 

" This is the sword which was in battle plied 
By the Frank rebel, him of Saxony nam'd, 

Which I took from him \ and I took beside 

His life which had by many a crime been sham'd. 

VTield this with which I ever won the bay, 

And may it prosper so with thee to-day." 

LXXIII. 

Meanwhile that proud one chafes at the long space 
Thus interpos'd, and threatens them, and cries : 

' j matchless men, Europe's martial race, 
'Tis but one man who all of you defies. 

Let Tancred come who seem'd so fierce in face, 
If on his valour he so much relies : 

Or will he stretch'd on"" plumes await, perchance, 

For what avail'd him once, the night's advance ] 



134: TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VII. 

LXXIV. 

" Let otlier come, if he be smit with fear ; 

Corne troop by troop at once, on foot, on steed ; 
Since among all the myriad squadrons here 

]S"one dares alone with me in battle plead. 
The sepulchre of Mary's Son, so near, 

Ye can descry ; then thither why not speed 1 
Wh} r not perform your vows 1 The pathway see ; 
How can your swords demand a grander plea V 9 

LXXV. 

With taunts like these th' atrocious Paynim smites 
His foes as with a lash that drinks the gore ; 

But more than all the rest that voice excites 
Raymond who can endure the shame no more : 

His valour goaded mounts to greater heights, 
And whets itself on anger's roughest ore ; 

So that, delay cut short, he mounts his steed 

Nam'd Aquiline from its exceeding speed. 

LXXVI. 

Upon the Tagus was the courser bred, 

Where th' eager mother of the warlike herd, 

What time the sweet love-breathing Spring has shed 
The natural wish, and all her heart is stirr'd, 

With mouth wide open tow'rd the breezes spread, 
Drinks in the seeds (such marvels are averr'd) 

0' the fertile wind, and from its tepid blast 

She greedily conceives, and teems at last. 

LXXVII. 

And thou would'st say this Aquiline was foal'd 

0' the lightest air that breathes in all Heav'n's bound, 

Whether so swift as not to' indent the mould 

Thou seest him stretch his course along the ground, 

Or mark'st his steps, too nimble to be told, 
Turn to the right and left in narrow round. 

The Count on such a courser seated now 

Moves to th' assault, and turns to Heaven his brow : 

LXXVIII. 

" Lord, who didst direct in Elah's vale 

Against profane Goliah weapons rude, 
Whence he whose slaught'ring hand made Israel quail 

Was slain by the first stone of stripling crude ; 
Cause Thou this felon, and renew the tale, 

By me to fall here smitten and subdued ; 
And let weak age now beat down pride accurst, 
E'en as weak childhood beat it down there erst." 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 135 

LXXIX. 

Thus did the Count with calm devotion pray. 

His pray'rs, assur'd by faith to' attain then end, 
Forth to the heav'nly spheres upwing their way, 

As flames by their own nature upward tend. 
They reach'd th' Eternal Sire ; and mid th' array 

Of His arm'd host He chose one to defend 
His champion, and withdraw him safe, and grand 
With vict'ry, from that bad blasphemer's hand. 

LXXX. 

The angel whom high Providence had made 
Good Eaymond's chosen guardian long ago, 

E'en from the day when first a babe he play'd 
The pilgrim's part in this our world below, 

Xow that anew the Heavenly Euler bade 
Him bear the weight of saving him from foe, 

Mounted a lofty rock, the spacious post 

Where the' arms are stor'd of all th' angelic host. 

LXXXI. 

Here is the spear by which the Serpent dread 
Lay smitten ; here are darts of thunder grand ; 

And those, invisible to men, which spread 
Dark pests and other evils o'er the land ; 

Here hangs the trident lifted high o'erhead, 
Prime terror to the wretched human band, 

"Whene'er it shakes the huge earth's cavern'd hall, 

And with a stroke makes lofty cities fall. 

LXXXIL 

And here too flash'd, with other armour blended, 
A shield with brightest adamant incas'd, 

Ample to hide what tribes and lands extended 
'Twixt Atlas and the steep Caucasian waste ; 

Just princes, too, are wont to be defended 
By this, and cities which are holy and chaste. 

This did the angel take ; and with it hied 

To Kayniond secretly, nor left his side. 

LXXXIII. 

Meanwhile a various crowd at break of day 

Had lin'd the walls, and by the king's command 

Clorinda with her following stops midway 
Upon the hill, nor further moves her band. 

On the other side drawn up in good array, 
Some squadrons of the Christian army stand : 

So that betwixt the camps there shall remain 

A broad field vacant for the champions twain. 



136 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CAXTO Til. 



Argante look'd and could no Tancred see. 

But some new knight of unfamiliar air. 
Che Count advanc'd. and ••Happily for thee," 

Exclaim' d lie. " whom thou seekest is elsewhere. 
Yet grow not haughty, for thou seest here me 

Prepar'd thine utmost might again to dare ; 
For rightly in his stead am I prefers d, 
Oi I may claim to come here as the third." 

LXXXY. 

At this the proud one sniil'd. and then replied : 

•• What then does Tancred 1 TThither is he flown 1 

He threats the skies with arms and then must hide, 
: nfiding in his rapid steps alone ! 

Eut let hini seek the centre and mid tide, 
Eor he is safe in no place which is known."' 

•• Thou liest." said the' other. " saying such a knight 

Has fled from thee, who excels thee far in might/' 

TXXXVT, 

Hie Paynim foam'd and cried : " To the lists' end 

Begone, since I accept thee in his stead ; 
And 'twill be soon seen how thou canst defend 

The folly which thy tongue has rashly shed." 
Thus to the joust they move them, and both bend 

Alike their horrid strokes against the head : 
And Raymond hits exact th' intended spot, 
Yet does not shake him in his seat one jot. 

LXXXVII. 

From th' other side Argante had career' d, 

And, fault in him unwonted, all in vain ; 
Eor the protecting angel swiftly veer'd 

The stroke aside, and sav'd his charge from bane. 
The savage bit his lips with fury smear' d, 

And broke his spear, blaspheming, on the plain : 
Then drew his sword and against Raymond flew. 
Impetuous for th' encounter to ensue ; 

t xxx tiii. 
His charger like a ram that huts in fight 

With downward head, straight on came mshing fast. 
Raymond, to shun the onset, tow'rd the right 

Inclin'd his course, and struck his brow, and p. 
Once more on him return' d th' Egyptian knight, 

But he escap'd this movement like the last, 
And caught him on the helm, yet vainly ever, 
Eor nought that adamantine helm could sever. 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. loi 

LXXXIX. 

But the fierce Pagan who desir'd to try 

A narrower strife, clos'd on him at a bound. 
The other who fear'd that weight so vast and high 

Would bear him and his courser to the ground, 
Here yields, and there assaults, and seems to fly, 

Encircling with a wheeling war around : 
And his fleet steed obeys the lightest rein, 
Nor ever makes a false step on the plain. 

xc. 
As one who doth besiege a soaring tow'r 

Plac'd among marshes, or on lofty mount, 
Tries every access, every way doth scour, 

And plies each art ; so wheels the gallant Count : 
And since to crush one scale is past his pow'r 

0' th' arms that line his breast and haughty front, 
He strikes the weaker plates, and for his blade 
Seeks out a path where steel to steel is laid. 

xci. 
And two or three points now are pierc'd and bare, 

And through them let the warm red lifeblood stray ; 
Yet his own arms are still intact and fair, 

Unshorn of crest, nor aught in disarray. 
Argante foams in vain, and beats the air, 

And throws his anger and his strength away, 
Nor yet is wearied, but, redoubling still 
His cuts and thrusts, wins strength from aiming ill. 

xcii. 
Among the thousand strokes o' the Paynim's blade, 

At last one fell, and had so nearly avail' d, 
That scarce could fleetest Aquiline evade 

Its fury, and beneath it might have quail'd. 
But him the watchful and invisible aid 

Of that supernal guardian now not fail'd, 
Y no stretch' d his arm out, and the stroke was driven 
Full on the adamant of the shield of Heaven. 

xcm. 
Then breaks the steel (for earthly weapon, sent 

From mortal forge, is powerless to withstand 
The armour incorruptible and unblent 

Of Heav'n's own work) and falls upon the sand. 
The Paynim, who observes the fragments rent 

So small, believes not what his eyes have scann'd : 
Then marvels, finding his own hand left bare, 
How the' other champion can have arms so rare. 



138 TORQUATO TASSO. CJlNTO Til. 

XC1V. 

And that Ms sword was broken lie belieVd 

Upon the shield with which his foe was fended. 
Good Bayraond thonght himself too thus reprieved, 

Not knowing yet who had from Heav n descended : 
Bnt notwithstanding this, when he perceiv'd 

The foe disarm'd, he stay'd in doubt suspended. 
For vile he deeni'd the spoil, the palm but low, 
Won at such great advantage from the foe. 

xcv. 
iC G-et thee another sword," he fain would call, 

When in his heart a new thought made him pause ; 
That much 'twould shame his friends were he to fall 

Who was defender of the public cause. 
He thus nor likes to win renown so small, 

Nor trust the general good to chance's laws. 
While thus he doubts, Argante hurls the base 
And pommel of the sword against his face. 

XCVI. 

And at the same time pricks his steed of war, 

And rushes on to grapple with the foe. 
The stroke, thus launch' d, upon the helm doth jar 3 

And bruises the Tolosan's face below. 
But he, no wit dismay'd, flies off afar 

From the strong arm stretch' d with no friendly show, 
And wounds the hand which fiercer than the clasp 
Of paw or talon spreads itself to grasp. 

XCVII. 

From this part o'er to that with sudden starts 
He wheels, and back from that to this again, 

And ever, both when he returns and parts, 
Deals out a cruel stroke which leaves a stain. 

Whate'er he had of strength, whate'er of arts, 
Whate'er could recent anger, old disdain, 

He now combines to make the Paynim rue, 

And with him Heav'n conspires, and Fortune too. 

XCVIII. 

With finest arms, and with himself array'd, 
That other meets the blows and never quails ; 

Like a tall ship on troubled ocean sway'd, 
Xow rudderless, with broken spars and sails, 

Which having sides tenaciously inlaid 

With beams robust, and clench' d with heavy nails. 

To the tempestuous billow does not bare 

Its yawning flanks, nor even yet despair. 



canto vii. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 139 

XCIX. 

Such perils around thee now, Argante, crowd ; 

When Belzebub resolves to aid thy plight. 
He Irani' d a filmy shade from hollow cloud 

In fashion of a man, a wondrous sight ! 
And like Clorincla beautiful and proud 

He shap'd it, with her armour rich and bright : 
He gave it speech, and without mind bestow'd 
The known sound of her voice, her air, and mode. 

c. 
At once to Oradine the phantom hied 

An archer for his marvellous skill admir'd, 
And said : " Oradine, who mak'st to glide 

The shafts at pleasure to the mark desir'd, 
Grave loss 'twere if a knight of merit so tried, 

Judaea's brave defender, thus expir'd, 
And if his foe, deck'd with the spoils thus earned, 
In perfect safety to his own returned. 

ci. 
" Prove here thine art on yon Frank thief ; arise, 

And let thy shafts, athirst for blood, take wing. 
Beside th' eternal fame, expect a prize 

Meet for such action from the courteous king." 
Thus speaks it, and the other soon complies 

When on his ear the words of promise ring. 
He takes out of his quiver's goodly show 
An arrow, fits it, and then bends the bow. 

en. 
Twangs the tight string, and onward unrestrain'd 

Speeds the phmi'd bolt through air with hissing flight, 
And strikes upon the belt just where retain'd 

By clasps of silver, and divides them quite. 
It bores the mail, and, scarcely blood-bestain'd, 

Stops there and gives the skin a wound but slight, 
The heav'nly warrior surT'ring not its course 
Beyond that point, and quelling the blow's force. 

cm. 
The Count drew from his mail the arrowy lance, 

And saw some drops of blood forth issuing there, 
And with loud shames, and threat'ning countenance, 

Rebuk'd the Pagan for that act unfair. 
The Captain, who had never turn'd his glance 

Prom his beloved Eaymond, now was ware 
The pact was brok'n; and as the wound appea r'd 
Severe to him, he sigh'd at it, and fear'd. 



1-iO TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO VII. 



CIV. 

And rous'd with front and tongue his people proud, 

To have a wrong so foul at once redress'd. 
Lo ! ev'ry visor drops and clanks aloud, 

The reins are loos'd, and spears are laid in rest, 
And in one instant several squadrons crowd 

From that part and from this with fiery zest ; 
The lists are lost, and see the dust arise 
In globes opaque, and roll up to the skies. 

cv. 
Of smitten helms and shields, of broken spears, 

At the onset a loud rumour spreads around ; 
Here falls a steed, and there another rears, 

And flies without a rider o'er the ground : 
Here lies a warrior slain ; there one appears 

Expiring ; and another's groans resound. 
Fierce is the fight, and as it grows more near 
And blends, it wider grows and more severe. 

cvi. 
Into the midst Argante, loos' d, has flown 

And from a knight has snatch'd an iron mace, 
And bursting through the crowds now denser grown, 

He whirls it round and makes him a large space, 
And seeks but Kaymond, and tow'rd him alone 

He turns the steel and his revengeful face, 
And seems like famish'd wolf to long to gnaw 
His entrails, and thus sate his ravenous maw. 

cvn. 
But hard impediment in his pathway lies, 

And fierce assaults to slack his course ensue ; 
Orrnan is found before him, one of the Guys, 

Roger of Earneville, and the Gerards two. 
!N"or yields, nor slacks he, yea, the more defies, 

The more those brave men stop his bursting through ; 
Like fire which pent within the smould'ring wall 
Bursts forth, and makes the lofty ruin fall. 

CVIII. 

Orman he slays, wounds Guy, and to the ground 
Beats Eoger sick and languid mid the slain. 

But 'gainst him swells the throng and locks him round 
With men and arms, a fiercely bristling chain. 

While both the nations, thanks to him, were found 
To combat with an equal loss and gain, 

The good duke Bouillon calls his brother nigh, 

And cries : " Xow forward with thy squadron hie ; 



CANTO VU. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 141 

CIX. 

" And where thou seest the battle deadliest gleam 

On the left side thither to charge them go." 
Off moves he, and the shock is so extreme 

With which in flank he rushes on the foe, 
That weak and frail the people of Asia seem, 

Xor can sustain the Frank's impetuous blow, 
Which breaks their ranks, and with their steeds are thrust 
The knights and pennons clown into the dust. 

ex. 
The right wing by the charge so bravely led 

Is routed, and now no defence is made, 
Save by Argante, all whose people fled 

With loosen'd rein, precipitate and dismay 'd. 
He alone shows his front, and stays his tread, 

Xor one whose hundred hands and arms had swayM 
At once full fifty swords and fifty shields 
Could have surpassed him on those bloody fields. 

CXI. 

Eapiers, and maces, and the forces blent 

Of spear and steed, sustains he ; and to deal 
With all seems equal, though no aid be lent, 

And now on this, now that, he hurls the steel. 
His limbs are bruis'd, his arms are foul'd and rent. 

He pours out sweat and blood, nor seems to feel. 
But press'd and jostled by the gathering throng, 
He is turn'd at last, and with them borne along. 

cxn. 
He turns his back upon the floods that rise 

To bear and waft him on their surge away ; 
Yet step nor heart has he of one who flies, 

If hearts are seen in what the hands assay. 
He still preserves the terrors of his eyes, 

Which all their wonted threats and rage display : 
And seeks with every effort to restrain 
The crowd of fugitives, but all in vain. 

CXIII. 

That great one cannot e'en retard their flight, 

Xor gather them together for a stand, 
For neither skill nor rein have pow'r o'er fright. 

Which lists not here to pray'r, nor to command. 
The pious Bouillon, seeing with delight, 

His schemes all favour'd now by Fortune bland, 
Sped gladly onward whither Vict'ry drew, 
And to the victors sent forth aid anew. 



142 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO VII. 



CXIV. 

And were it not that this was not the hour 

Which God had writ in His eternal scroll, 
E'en now the camp which foe ne'er made to cow'r 

Had summ'd its holy toils and reach'd the goal. 
But here th' infernal troop who saw their pow'r 

Fall in that conflict, finding no control 
Plac'd on such action, instantly compress' d 
The air in clouds, and niov'd the wind from rest. 

cxv. 
The day and sun are snatch' d by a dark veil 

From mortal eyes ; the heav'n appears to blaze, 
Though blacker than Hell's horror shades prevail, 

So quick with flash on flash the lightning plays : 
The thunders roar ; down rushes the sharp hail, 

Beats on the fields, and floods the sylvan ways : 
The whirlwind rends the boughs, and seems to shock 
Xot sturdy oak alone, but hill and rock. 

CXVT. 

At once the hail, the tempest, and the blast, 
Impetuous smite the Franks upon the eyes ; 

At violence so unforeseen aghast, 

They stop, and in them deadly fears arise. 

A few, collected, stand a moment fast 

"Where, though they see it not, the banner flies ; 

But here Clorinda nigh, seizes with speed 

The time thus opportune, and spurs her steed. 

CXVII. 

She cries aloud : " For us, my friends, doth Heaven 
Itself contend, and Justice gives us aid • 

Our faces by its anger are unriven, 

Nor is our right hand thence at all delay'd ; 

And only are its blows indignant driven 
Against the front of yonder foe dismay' d. 

Them with its arms it shakes ; from them doth hide 

Its light. Then on ! for Fate is now your guide ! " 

CXVIII. 

Thus urges she her troops ; and as the blows 
Of hellish rage but on her shoulder light, 

Against the Franks with horrid charge she goes, 
And scorns the idle strokes with which they smite. 

Argante now, too, turning on his foes 
• Once victors puts them into evil plight. 

These quit the field, and routed turn at last 

Their backs upon the steel and icy blast. 



CANTO VII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 143 

CXIX. 

Both, earthly swords, and heav'nly vengeance dread, 

Beat on their shoulders as they sconr the plain ; 
And the blood flows and makes the pathways red, 

Commingled with the streams of mighty rain. 
Here mid the crowds of dying and of dead 

Fall Pyrrlms, and good Balph beside him, slain ; 
This by the fierce Circassian is struck down ; 
From that Clorinda wins a large renown. 

cxx. 
Thus fly the Franks ; and to pursue the chase 

Xeither the Syrians nor the Demons fail. 
Alone against the crowding brand and mace, 

And 'gainst each threat of thunder, wind, and hail, 
Doth Godfrey turn his never-shrinking face, 

Bebuking sternly all the chiefs who quail : 
And reining at the gate his charger grand. 
He gathers in the trench his scatter'd band. 

cxxi. 
And twice against Argante's self he made 

His horse career, and twice he thrust him back. 
At other times he rush'd with naked blade 

Into the thickest of the foe's attack. 
At last he drew within the palisade 

With all the rest, arid victory grew slack. 
The Saracens then return'd, and the Franks stay'd 
Within the trench, o'erwearied and dismay'd. 

cxxn. 
Nor fully e'en this shelter'd spot avails 

To screen them from the horrid storms that bray ; 
But now this torch is quench'cl ; now that one fails ; 

And waters rush throughout, and whirlwinds play. 
These rip the cloth to tatters, break the pales, 

Pluck up whole tents, and whirl them far away. 
The rain makes with the cries, the winds, the thunder, 
A horrid music stunning the world under. 



144 



CANTO VIII. 

ARGUMENT. 

A knight, the only one who 'scap'd unslain 
Of many heroes, to Duke Godfrey hies 

With doleful tidings of the generous Dane, ' 

Who strives for fame, and wins death as his prize. 

The Latin troops then crediting the vain 

Persuasion which had sprung from false surmise, 

Bewail Binaldo dead, and burn with fire, 

But Bouillon quells the riot, calms their ire. 

The thunders and the storms had now pass'd by, 

The blasts from West and North no longer roll'd, 
And Dawn came from her marsion in the sky 

With rosy forehead and with feet of gold. 
But those who first had wak'd the storms on high 

Had not abandon'd yet their arts of old ; 
Yea, one of them, and Ashtaroth she was named, 
To her co-mate Alecto thus exclaimed : 

II. 
" Behold, Alecto, yonder comes the knight, 

Nor have we pow'r, alas ! to bar his way, 
Who has escap'd alive from the fell spite 

Of him who is our empire's sov'reign stay. 
He, telling to the Franks the cruel plight 

Of his brave chief and comrades, will display 
Momentous things, whence we may well be' appalled 
Lest Bertold's dreaded son should be recalled. 

in. 
" Thou know'st what this imports, and if 'twere meet 

With force and fraud at once to interpose. 
Seek, then, the Franks, and all he shall repeat 

For their advantage, turn thou into woes. 
Spread poison in their veins, and blast with heat 

Latin, Swiss, Briton, all our hateful foes : 
Move wraths and tumults, and the work so crown 
That the whole camp at last go upside down. 



CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 145 

TV. 

" The work becomes thee, and in lofty tone 

Thou vauntedst of it to our lord ere while." 
Thus spake she, and so much suffic'd alone 

To make the fiend attempt a scheme so vile. 
Meanwhile the knight whose coming had been shown 

Had reach'd the Christians' trench after long toil, 
And said to them : " Let some one, I entreat, 
Conduct me, warriors, to your Chieftain's seat." 

v. 
Large escort had he to the grander tent, 

For much they long'd to hear the pilgrim's tale. 
He bow'd him lowly down, and reverent 

Would kiss the hand which made proud Babel quail ; 
Then said he : " Sire, whose fame is only pent 

By the deep ocean and the starry pale, 
Would that I came to thee with gladder news ! " 
Here sighs he, and his message thus pursues : 

VI. 

" Sweno, the king of Denmark's only son, 

Support and glory of his declining age, 
Desir'd among the many to be one 

Who, following thee, in Jesus' cause engage : 
Nor toils nor perils to be undergone, 

Xor lust to reign, nor pity for his sage 
And tottering father could avail to wrest 
That noble passion from his generous breast. 

VII. 

" Desire to learn the art of war from thee, 
So great a master, urg'd him forth to' endure 

Its toils and dangers, and in some degree 
He felt disdain of his own fame obscure, 

Hearing Binaldo's name o'er land and sea 
With glory already in green age mature : 

But more than by aught else by zeal for Heaven 

And heav'nly praise, not earthly, was he driven. 

VIII. 

" He took a troop (all loitering cut short) 

Of chosen comrades whom no fears could tame, 

And turn'd tow'rd Thrace, and to the capital fort, 
Great seat from which the Empire spreads its frame. 

Here the Greek Caesar welcom'd him at court : 
Here then arriv'd a courier in thy name, 

Who told him in a converse much extended 

How Antioch had been ta'en, and then defended 



146 TORQUATO TASSO. CAXTO VIII. 

IX. 

• • Against the Persian who had led a host, 

To give you siege, so large and well array 'd, 
That void of arms and habitants almost 

It seem'd his mighty kingdom mnst be laid. 
He spake of thee ; of others made some boast, 

Till coming to Einalclo, on him he stay'd : 
Told of his venturous night, and what since then 
He had achiev'd of glorious among men. 

x. 
" He added lastly how the Franks prepare 

To make their grand assault on yonder gates ; 
And then invited him at least to share 

That victory, the last left by the fates. 
This speech to fiery Sweno's side all bare 

Is such a spur that every hour he waits 
Seems a whole lustre ere amid the foe 
He swings the sword and makes the life-blood flow. 

XI. 

" He feels another's praise ring on his ear 

To chide his sloth ; and hence himself he gnaws, 

And either listens not, or does not hear, 
Whoe'er advises or entreats a pause. 

No risk he fears except the not being near 

To share in thy grand risks and thine applause. 

This seems to him a dreadful peril alone, 

Others he sees not, or contemns when shown. 

XII. 

" He hurries his own fate with eager quest, 

Fate that leads him, and drags us down the stream : 

Hence for departure he can hardly rest 
Until the dawn unfold its earliest beam. 

The shortest way is chosen as the best ; 
Such is it in our lord and chiefs esteem : 

Xor seeks he to avoid the worst defiles, 

Nor lands expos'd to hostile force and wiles. 

XIII. 

" Now did we meet with hunger, hard to' endure, 
Now with hard path, with frauds, with force avow'd : 

But through all ills we found a pathway sure, 
And slew or put to flight each hostile crowd. 

Our victories had made each man secure 

In dangers, and good fortune made us proud \ 

When one day we encamp' d us upon ground 

Not far from Palestine's long-sought-for bound. 



CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 147 

XIV. 

" Here by piquets of ours the news was brought 

That near thern a loud clash of arms had rung, 
And flags in sight, and other signs, had taught 

That close at hand a countless army hung. 
Our dauntless leader never chang'd his thought, 

His hue, his look, nor accent of his tongue, 
Though there were many who at that dread tale 
Tinted their cheek with colour deadly pale. 

xv. 
" But he exclaims : ' At last then have we near 

Either the martyr's or the victor's crown ! 
This most I hope, but that is not less dear, 

In merit greater, equal in renown. 
This camp, brothers, where we now appear, 

Shall be a sacred temple handed down 
For aye, in which posterity shall show 
Our tombs or trophies with triumphant glow.' 

XVI. 

" This said, his guards he hastens to dispose, 
To' assign their tasks, and their fatigues divide. 

He bids us all lie down in arms, nor throws 
His own accoutrements or mail aside. 

It was the hour of night at which repose 
And silence to the world are least denied, 

AVhen barbarous cries were heard which seem'd to swell 

Far up tow'rd Heav'n, and down th' abyss of Hell. 

XVII. 

" ' To arms ! to arms ! ' they cried. In arms inwrapt 
Then Sweno foremost to the battle flew, 

His gleaming eyes with inspiration rapt, 

His face inflam'd and ting'cl with valour's hue. 

And now were we assaulted and intrapp'd 
On all sides by a multitudinous crew ; 

And groves of swords and spears were bristling round, 

And clouds of darts fell o'er us with a stound. 

XVIII. 

" In the unequal fight since those who attack 

Are twenty to but one, many of these 
Are wounded, and by blind and random hack 

In the dark air many are slain with ease ; 
Eut the whole tale of sick and dead mid black 

Obscuring shadows not one person sees : 
The night conceals our losses, and conceals 
The slaughter round us which our valour deals. 



148 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO VIII. 



XIX. 

" Yet Sweno lifts his front so high, mid all, 

That he is easily mark'd by those around ; 
And even in the dusk his deeds appal 

Whoe'er beholds them, and exceed all bound. 
A stream of blood, a heap of foes that fall, 

Construct around him a huge trench and mound : 
He seems to carry terror in his eyes, 
Death in his hand, whithersoe'er he hies. 

xx. 
" Thus was the battle fought till dawn arose, 

And scatter'd o'er the sky the rosy ray : 
But when the horror of the night, which throws 

A mantle o'er death's horror, pass'd away, 
The wish'd-for light, revealing all our woes, 

And grievous loss, added to our dismay \ 
For corpse on corpse was heap'd, and on the sand 
Lifeless beheld we almost all our band. 

XXI. 

" Of full two thousand not five score remain. 

Now when so much of blood and death he spies, 
I know not if the piteous sight give pain 

To his firm heart, or deep emotion rise, 
But nought he shows : yea, in a louder strain, 

' Follow we now our brave co-mates,' he cries, 
' Who up tow'rd Heav'n, far from the lakes of Hell. 
Have left a bloody track to guide us well. , 

XXII. 

" He spake, and glad, I do believe, in heart 
At death's approach, as he seem'd glad in air, 

He bore against barbaric sword and dart 
A constant breast which never felt despair. 

No metal, temper'd with the finest art, 
Of adamant, still less of steel, could bear 

The savage blows which made him flood the ground ; 

And his whole body is become one wound 

XXIII. 

" That corpse, untameable and savage, lacks 
Of life, but valour upholds it as before. 

Smitten, he smites again, and never slacks ; 
But still the more assail' d, he strikes the more. 

When him, behold ! a mighty man attacks 
One fierce in mien, with fury boiling o'er, 

Who after long and desp'rate strife, with vast 

Support from numbers, beats him down at last. 



CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 149 

XXIV. 

■ • Th' unconquer'd youth falls, all ! event deplor'd ! 

Nor one among us can avenge his fall. 
On thee as witness, blood of my dear lord, 

Well shed, and on his noble bones, I call, 
That this poor life I had no wish to hoard, 

Nor shunn'd I steel, nor shunn'd the stroke at all : 
And had Heav'n pleas'd that I should die thus soon 
Upon that spot, my deeds had earn'd the boon. 

XXV. 

•• Among my slain companions I alone 

Fell living ; none perchance thought life remain'd : 
Xor of the foe by me can aught be shown, 

In such a stupor was my sense detain' d. 
But when the light returning had been thrown 

Upon mine eyes so long in darkness chain'd, 
Methought 'twas night, and to my wav'ring glance 
I saw the rays from a small fire advance. 

XXVI. 

" Too feeble to discern what objects rose 
Before me, and their flx'd impression keep, 

I saw like those who open now, now close, 
Their eyes, betwixt awaking and asleep : 

And then the anguish from the cruel blows 
Began to grow more troublesome and deep, 

Xight airs and frost inflaming every wound 

Beneath the open sky on the bare ground. 

XXVII. 

" Meanwhile that light came nearer and more near, 
And with it a mute whisper, till at my side 

It plac'd itself close to mine eye and ear. 

Then, though with pain, to raise my lids I tried, 

And saw two forms in flowing robes appear, 
Holding two lamps, who said to me : ' Confide, 

My son, in Him who for the good prepares 

Meet help, and with His grace prevents their pray'rs.' 

XXVIII. 

" So spake he to me, and he then held out 
His hand above me, as in the' act to bless, 

And murmur'd forth in tones low and devout, 

Words then scarce heard, and understood e'en less. 

Then ' Eise ! ' exclaim'd he, and I, light and stout, 
Eise up and from my wounds have no distress, 

(0 gentle miracle !) yea, seem to feel 

Through all my members a new vigour steal. 



150 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO vm. 

XXIX. 

" Stupid I ey'd them, nor could yet recall 
To my scar'd mind the certain and the true. 

Whence one of them : ' thou, whose faith is small, 
TThy doubt ; what phantom do thy thoughts pursue 1 

That which thou seest in us is substance all ; 
Servants are we of Jesus, who eschew 

The flatt'ring world and its deception sweet, 

And live here in a rough and lone retreat. 

XXX. 

" i Me has that Lord who through creation reigns 

Elected for thy safety to provide ; 
Since by ignoble means he not disdains 

To' achieve effects most wonderful and wide. 
Nor would He leave neglected those remains 

\Yhich once to soul so worthy were allied, 
And which immortal made, and quick to' ascend, 
And shining, must rejoin it in the end. 

XXXI. 

" c Sweno's remains, I say, to which shall rise 
A tomb proportion'd to his valorous worth, 

Which shall be gaz'd at by admiring eyes 
And honor' d to remotest age on earth. 

But lift thy glance now to the spangled skies 

And mark yon star which like a sun shines forth \ 

This shall conduct thee with its living rays 

To where the corpse of thy great leader stays.' 

XXXII. 

" And then beheld I streaming down a ray 
From that fair torch, yea, that nocturnal sun, 

TThich straight to where the mighty body lay 
Seeni'd like a golden pencil line to run ; 

And o'er it made such brilliant splendours play 
That all its gashes sparkled forth and shone : 

And instantly I knew it, where, alas ! 

It lay amid a bloody and horrid mass. 

XXXIII. 

" He lay, not prone, say ; but, as if he yearn'd 
Unceasingly to reach the starry height, 

Straight tow'rd the skies he kept his features turn'd, 
Like one who thither long'd to take his flight. 

One hand was clos'd, and in it was discern' d 

The sword hard-grasj)'d, and 'twas in act to smite : 

The other on his breast in lowly guise 

Appear'd to ask for pardon from the skies. 






CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 151 

XXXIV. 

" "While I bedew'd his wounds with my sad plaint, 
Yet could not vent the grief that sight had bred, 

His clos'd right hand was open'd by the saint 
Who, drawing forth the sword it clung to, said : 

' This which has made so many foes to faint 
With loss of blood this day, and still is red, 

Thou know'st is perfect, and perchance no blade 

Surpassing it in worth was ever made. 

XXXV. 

" ' Whence Heav'n decrees that if death's early smart 

Eends it from him who first upheld its weight, 
It shall not idly tarry in this part, 

But pass from one hand to another as great, 
Which shall employ it with like force and art, 

But for a longer time, with happier fate, 
And take with it, what it should justly gain, 
Revenge on him who slew the royal Dane. 

xxxvi. 
" ' Solyman slew Sweno, and by Sweno's brand 

'Tis meet and just that Solyman should fall. 
Then take it, and go where the Christian band 

Is seated around Sion's lofty wall. 
Xor fear that, while thou travell'st o'er a land 

Unknown, new hindrance will e'en yet befall, 
For His right hand who sends thee will remove 
Harms from thy path, and guard thee with His love. 

XXXVII. 

" ' His will 'tis that thy voice from out the dead, 
By Him preserved in life, should there record 

The piety, the worth, the valour dread, 

Winch thou hast seen in thy beloved lord ; 

That others too may cross their arms with red, 
Arous'd by his example and reward • 

And now, and e'en when ages have expir'd, 

Illustrious spirits may be rous'd and fir'd. 

XXXVIII. 

" i All else thou needest is that I make known 
Who shall become the heir of this good brand : 

Einaldo 'tis, the youth whom all men own 
Worthy the loftiest palm for courage grand. 

To him present it ; say from him alone 

Heav'n and the world a deep revenge demand.' 

Xow while I listen to his words intent, 

To' himself bv a new marvel was I bent. 



152 TOBQUATO TASSO. CA5TIO Tin. 

zzz : z, 
: where the corpse lay, suddenly I behold 
A mighty sepulchre expos'd to light, 
Vrii;L ^rr^'i 3.5 i: i:zsr :z. :z:zsr :: irz.li. 

I know not how, nor by what magic sleight. 
An 1 in brief notes upon it was inscrolTd 

The name and worth of the departed knight. 
1 could not tear me front that sight, but scanned 
Ihc Letters now, and now the marbles grand. 

T1Z 

• ■ Hfr-r.' siii It siz-z 'It-: zzizt ?, zvhzfzl ±: r zi 
The body of thy chief eonceaTd shall lie, 

WlzLlr. ::•; z iz 1:ti. zz-zz s:ziri:s — zzz zzi 

Zzzt ill ":;liss 3zzl i~:zt ir_ :!_- .^t, 
1 zz z:":z. " z 1 zzzzz Z: lis: r::zs. t::zi: 

Tzt :rizs z: zz:z ; :zt zz :: :zs: is zizz 
IIt rzzs: slzzl: z:zz t::z_t :zl :—■' z:z :it 
Awaken thee to wend thine early way-' 



•■ He ceas'd; and led zzt on throngl 


: ::z:ks z:~ 


IV ; — 1;::t. — "„^; T — t ::il :: lizzl 


—is ~is:. 


Till ::zzzrz: z z__ :z-r siti^ :z :z 1 




A lioflow cave : and there we stoj 


z: ... i: ris: . 


Tzis :- zis z:z_t : ~ zzz ~zli z-;*sz ; 


• zz~l izi 1 


His days are with his pupil safely 


pass'd; 


Hz 'zzz :z:t :ziz szizli z: '/-':- 


i v r ,s: 


Is z:1t izzzMzn:- :: zzzsz". 'zzisz 





XLIL 

Here food of sylvan roots, and a hard bed, 

zz- :: zzt izzzs :z±zszzzrz: z 1 rzzisr 
Exit when he saw the purple morning shed 

Al:z^ :z~ Eis:. izi _zl-:Z Hit zz:1:sz. 
Each hermit, watchful of his dnty, sped 

Ai :»nce to prayer, and with them I arose. 
Then did I bid that aged saint lieu, 
And took the path he told me to puIsue.' , 

XLHL 

Here ceas'd the Dane ; the pious Chief replied : 
" O knight, thou bearest to our tented ground 

Hard news and doleful, whence discomfort wide 
Springs up, and reasonable fears abound ; 

>zz:z zirz s: Izizz-. -ji zirzi-iz: s: illizi. 

Lris-i zzz: Lis zzi. izi liii zz zi:z:~ zz:zzz .. ; 
And like the lightning's hash thy lord has shone 
But for an instant only, and is gone. 



CANTO viii. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 153 

XLIV. 

" And yet why grieve'? Such death and loss are gain 
Far more than golden treasure and broad land : 

Nor ever could the ancient Eoman reign 
Alledge examples of a wreath so grand. 

These in the temple of Heav'n, a shining train, 
Hold palms immortal in their conquering hand : 

There each one, I believe, in brilliant light 

Shows his fair wounds and gladdens at the sight. 

XLV. 

" But thou who amid toils and perils dire 
In worldly warfare still art doom'd to stay, 

Should'st feel their triumphs in thy heart inspire 
A rapture which thy brow should aye display. 

And since of Bertold's son thou dost inquire, 
Know that he wanders from the host away : 

Xor can I counsel thee to dubious road, 

Ere certain news be heard of his abode." 

XLVl. 

Some on whose ears these words of converse fall 
Feel tow'rd Einaldo their old love again : 

And, " 0, mid Pagan hordes," one says with gall, 
" The wandering youth is sentenc'd to remain ! " 

Nor is there one who does not oft recall 

His mighty deeds, and tell them to the Dane : 

And the long cartel of his acts imrolTd 

Is open'd for the stranger to behold. 

XLVII. 

Xow when remembrance of the youth had shed 
Grief o'er each heart, and left a tender wound, 

Lo many were returning who had sped, 
As is the wont, to pillage all around. 

Along with these large flocks in droves were led 
And herds of cattle from the enemy's ground, 

And corn, although not much, and hay to feed 

The appetite of many a hungry steed. 

XLVIII. 

And these bring with them matters that betide 
Some sad mischance, and seem to leave no doubt, 

The vest of good Einaldo burst and dy'd 

With blood, and all his armour pierc'd throughout. 

A dark and varying rumour (who could hide 
Affair like this 1) was soon diffus'd about. 

The vulgar, whom the. mournful news alarms, 

Eush forward and desire to see the arms. 



154 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VIII. 

XLIX. 

The mighty hauberk, from its massive size 

And flashing light, soon as they saw, they knew, 

And all the arms mark'd with the bird which tries 
Her yonng i' th' sun, and little trusts their hue : 

For first, or sole, in every grand emprise 

These ever had been wont to meet their view : 

And not without deep pity and angry mood 

They saw them broken now, and stain'd with blood. 

L. 

While murmurs fill the camp on every hand 
And various causes of the death are guess' d, 

The pious Godfrey summons Aliprand, 
Who led the foragers in the recent quest, 

A man of liberal mind, of converse bland, 
And truthful ever : him he thus acldress'cl : 

" Say how, and from what place these arms are brought, 

And hide from me, of good or evil, nought." 

LI. 

He answer'd : " Far from hence as while the day 

Twice passes o'er a messenger can go, 
Tow'rd Gaza's confines, out of the main way, 

Shut in with mountains a small pla.in lies low ; 
And through it from aloft is seen to stray 

'Twixt plant and plant a gentle brook and slow : 
And tangled bush, and trees opaque in shade, 
Present a spot where ambush may be laid. 

LII. 

" Here while we search' d if haply we might spy 
Some herd depasturing near the water's brim, 

We see the corpse of a slain warrior lie 

Upon the blood-stain'd grass at the stream's rim. 

The arms and tracings caus'd emotion high, 

For these were known though now befoul' d and dim. 

On drawing near to lay the features bare, 

I found the sever'd head no longer there. 

LIII. 

" There lack'd too the right hand ; and many a wound 

Was scor'd on the grand bust from breast to back ; 
And not far off an empty helm was found 

With silver eagle and with many a crack. 
While for some man to question I look'd round, 

A solitary peasant cross' d our track, 
Who soon as he perceiv'd us come in sight- 
Suddenly turn'd himself, and took to flight. 



CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 155 

' LIV. 

" But when pursued and ta'en, to the demand 

AVe made of him he finally replied, 
That yesterday he saw a warrior hand 

Come from the forest, so he ran to hide : 
And one of them had carried in his hand 

A head by yellow locks which blood bedy'd : 
This, as he gaz'cl on it intent, appear'd 
To be a youth's head, and without a beard. 

LV. 

" And soon the same man wrapt it in a vest, 
Or turban'd shawl, which from the saddle hung. 

He added, too, that he could well attest 

The knights were Christians from their speech and 

I made them bare the corpse, and was distress'd [tongue. 
So much that from mine eyes e'en tears were wrung ; 

And bore the arms with me, and left the care 

Of duly burying him to others there. 

LVI. 

" But if this grand trunk be what I believe, 

Then other tomb and pomp it merits well." 
This spoken, Aliprand here took his leave, 

Since he had nothing more assur'd to tell. 
The Chief stay'd grave, nor could a sigh not heave, 

Sad and uncertain at what thus befell ; 
And would identify the maimed bust 
By clearer signs, and the homicide unjust. 

lvii. ' 
Meanwhile the night arose and 'neath its wings 

Had cover'd all the boundless realms of air ; 
And sleep, the leisure of the soul, which brings 

Release from ills, had sooth'd each sense and care. 
Thou, Argillan, alone, pierc'd by the stings 

Of sorrow, broodest o'er some grand affair ; 
Xor on thy troubled breast, nor eyelids, creep 
The blessings of repose or gentle sleep. 

LVIII. 

This man of ready hand, and daring tongue, 
And mind impetuous as the rushing tide, 

Born on the banks of Trent, was, e'en when young, 
Inur'd to civil strifes of hate and pride : 

Then exil'd thence o'er hill and shore he flung 
A sea of blood, and robb'd there far and wide, 

Until to war in Asian realms he came, 

And there had won himself a brighter fame. 



156 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VIII. 

LIX. 

When dawn appears lie shuts his eyes at last, 
Yet o'er his slumber dark emotions sweep ; 

Alecto wraps his heart in stupor fast, 

As grave as that which death brings, and as deep. 

Delusions o'er bis inward soul are cast, 
And no repose enjoys he e'en in sleep, 

For the fell Fiend in many a horrid shape 

Comes forth to scare him, nor allows escape. 

LX. 

She show'd him a large bust, from which the head 
Was shorn : no hand on the right arm remained ; 

The left held up the skull-piece of the dead 
Livid with pallor and with blood bestained. 

The visage sigh'd, and, as it sigh'd, were sped 

Words with which gore and sobs were also strained : 

" Fly, Argillan, lo ! dawn is in the sky ; 

Fly these foul tents, that impious leader fly ! 

LXI. 

1 ■ From savage Godfrey, and the deep deceit 

Which slaughter' d me, who shall assure you, friends ? 

The felon is consum'd with envy's heat, 

And to slay you, too, ponders all dark ends. 

But if this hand aspire to noble feat, 
And trust to its own valour for amends, 

Fly not ; no, let the bloodless tyrant first 

Appease my spirit with his blood accurst. 

LXII. 

" A shadowy minister of steel and ire 

I'll follow thee, and arm thy hand and breast." 

These are her words which, while they thrill, inspire 
His spirit with a strange and madd'ning zest. 

He breaks from sleep, and rolls his eyes on fire 
With rage and venom not to be repress' d ; 

And, arm'd e'en as he is, with haste unites 

Together all of the Italian knights. 

LXIII. 

Where hang the good Einaldo's arms, meet place, 
He soon unites them, and in accents proud 

Tells his own fury and th' imagin'd case 
In words like these to irritate the crowd : 

" Shall then a barbarous and tyrannic race, 

Who scorn at reason, break the word they've vow'd, 

Whose thirst for blood and gold is never slack, 

Put bridles in our mouth, yokes on our back ? 



CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 157 

LXIV. 

" That which of hard and shameful we have borne 
These sev'n years under such unequal weight, 

Is such that Italy and Borne with scorn 

"Will burn for centuries, and burn with hate. 

I tell not how Cilicia fell, outworn 

By the good Tancred's arms and skill, of late, 

And how the Frank by treason holds it now, 

And Fraud usurps the wreath from Valour's brow. 

LXV. 

" I tell not how when need and time demand 
The ready hand, firm thought, courageous mind, 

Some one of us in front with torch and brand, 
Among a thousand dead, they surely find : 

But when the palms and booty mid the band 
In peace and leisure come to be assign'd, 

The realms, the gold, the triumphs and the fame, 

Are not for us, but all of these they claim. 

LXVl. 

" Time was, perchance, when such things had been thought 
Both grave and strange, and deep offence would cause : 

I pass them by as small, an action fraught 

With horror having made them light as straws. 

Einaldo have they slain, and set at nought 
The high divine as well as human laws : 

And peals not Heav'n 1 And does not Earth entomb 

The guilt within its dark and gaping womb 1 

LXVII. 

They've slain Binaldo, champion most renown'd, 
And shield o' the faith, yet unreveng'd he lies ; 

Yes, and they left him on the naked ground 
Torn and unburied there before our eyes. 

And do ye wish th' assassin to be found 1 

Who cannot pierce, friends, the thin disguise 1 

Who does not know with what malignant aim 

Godfrey and Baldwin glance at Latian fame ? 

LXVIII. 

" But why seek arguments ? By Heav'n I swear, 
By Heav'n which hears us, and which none can cheat, 

That at the hour when darkness leaves the air 
His sad and wand'ring spirit did I meet. 

what a cruel spectacle was there ! 

How Godfrey's plots on us did he repeat ! 

1 saw him, 'twas no dream ; where'er I gaze 
I see him now \ before mine eyes he stays. 



158 T0KQUAT0 TASSO. CAXTO VIII. 

LXIX. 

" What shall we do, then? Ought that hand to reign 

For ever o'er us which a crime so base 
Befouls e'en vet } Or shall we shun the stain, 

And speed to where Euphrates rolls apace 1 
TTliere it enriches on a fertile plain 

Dense towns and cities for a feeble race ; 
Rather for us : these shall, I hope, be our's, 
Nor with the Franks will we divide our pow rs. 

LXX. 

" Go, then ; and, if ye thus determine, make 
For high and innocent blood no vengeful claim. 

Though if your valour, fainting now, should wake, 
And sparkle, as it ought, with brighter name, 

He who devour" d, like a pestiferous snake, 
The pride and now'r of the Italian name, 

Should yield a goodly lesson by his fall, 

And torturing pains, to other monsters all. 

LXXI. 

" I, I am willing, would your valour sway 

Your wills to work its possible behest, 
That by this hand revenge should pass to-day 

Into his impious bosom, treason's nest." 
So speaks he stormily ; and drags away 

In his own rage and impulse all the rest. 
" Arms! Aims !" the madman cried; and from the young 
And proud ones round, " Arms ! Arms 1 " in concert rung. 

LXXII. 

'Along them Alecto wheels her arm'd right hand, 

And mingles in their breasts poison and fire. 
Strong passion, madness, the. accurst demand 

For blood, infuriates and grows higher and higher : 
And see the pest creep onward and expand, 

And quit th' Italian tents, and roll its ire 
Outside them to the Swiss, and thence its course 
Hies onward till it reach the English force. 

lxxiii. 
Nor do these different nations merely brood 

Upon the public loss, and that hard case ; 
But ancient causes yield fresh force and food 

To anger which is rais'd on recent base. 
Offences that have slept are now renew'cl ; 

They call the Franks an impious tyrannous race ; 
And, in proud threats difrus'cl, goes forth the hate 
Which nothing can repress now, nor abate. 



CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 159 

LXXIV. 

Thus liquid, boiling in the hollow brass 

Through too much fire, gurgles and steams the more • 
And kept not in itself at length -will pass 

The vase's brim, and foam and bubble o'er. 
Those few cannot rein in the madden 'd mass 

Whose minds have been illum'd by truth of yore ; 
And Tancred and Camillus are afar, 
And William, and the rest supreme in war. 

LXXV. 

Already the ferocious troops have sprung 
Precipitate to arms, confus'd and dense, 

Already the seditious trumpet rung 

The fiercest war-notes with a sound intense. 

Many meanwhile to Bouillon sped, and flung 
The warning voice to arm him for defence ; 

And Baldwin, ready-arm'd, with hurried stride 

Preceded all, and plac'd him at his side. 

LXXYI. 

Hearing the charge, to Heav'n he lifts his eyes, 
And flees to God, his long-accustom'd goal : 

" Lord, thou who knowest how my right hand flies 
From civil blood, so hateful to my soul, 

For these tear off the murky veil which lies 
Athwart their mind, and all their rage control : 

And let mine innocence, already known 

Above, be to the blind world also shown." 

LXXVII. 

He ceas'd, and felt infus'd in him by Heaven 
A fresh unwonted warmth his veins among, 

Full of high vigour, and bright hope new-given, 

AVhich lit his face, and made him still more strong : 

And circled by his own, he goes undriven 

'Gainst those who thiuk to' avenge Binaldo's wrong ; 

Xor, though he hear rebellowing through the place 

Menace and arms, does he relax his pace. 

LXXVIII. 

He wears his hauberk, and o'er this assumes 
A richer vest than usual ; boldly shown 

Are his bare hands and face, which light illumes 
Awful as that around the Heavenly throne : 

He shakes his golden sceptre ; and presumes 
To calm that outbreak with these arms alone. 

Such is his aspect ; such his words are found, 

Xor like a mortal's voice do they resound : 



160 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO VIII. 

LXXIX. 

" What foolish threats, what empty clangours greet 
Mine ear ? Who moves you to these mad careers 1 

Am I thus rev'renc'd and in mode so meet 
Am known here after the long proof of years, 

That any can suspect and charge deceit 

In Godfrey, or approve the charge he hears ? 

Perhaps ye deem that I shall speak you fair, 

Adduce you reasons, and put forth a pray'r 1 

LXXX. 

" Ah ! let such insult not be heard by the' earth 
Through which the echoes of my name extend ! 

Me shall this sceptre, me my deeds of worth 
Eemember'd ever, me the truth defend. 

And now let justice yield, pity come forth, 
Nor o'er the guilty punishment descend. 

Pardon for other merits now receive ; 

Your lives to your Rinaldo, too, I give. 

LXXXI. 

" Let Argillan, sole cause of guilt, alone 

Wash with his blood the common fault away, 

Who, mov'd by light suspicion of his own, 
Led others on the path of crime astray." 

Majestic thunder peals in every tone, 
Flashes of honor on his features play, 

Till Argillan confus'd, and beaten down, 

Fears (who can credit it ?) a face's frown. 

LXXXII. 

And those who insolent before, and bold, 

Haughtily roar'd out all indignities, 
And who had hands so ready then to hold 

Sword, spear, and torch, and all which rage supplies, 
List mutely while his proud rebukes are roll'd, 

Nor dare 'twixt fear and shame to raise their eyes ; 
And e'en endure their leader to be bound 
Although they all there stand in arms around. 

LXXXIII. 

The lion thus who shook with awful roar 
His horrent locks at first, savage and proud, 

If he the master see by whom of yore 
His heart's innate ferocity was bow'd, 

Can bear the yoke's ignoble weight once more, 
And dreads the hard command and menace loud ; 

Nor mighty mane, huge tusks, nor claws supplied 

With store of force, can stimulate his pride. 



CANTO VIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 161 

LXXXIV. 

'Tis said that in the air there stood reveal'd 
In savage attitude with threat'ning mien, 

A winged warrior who upheld a shield 
The pious Bouillon and his foes between, 

And in his hand a flashing sword he wheel' d 

On which some blood that dropp'd e'en then was seen, 

Perchance the blood of towns and kingdoms riven, 

Which had provok'd the tardy wrath of Heaven. 

LXXXV. 

The tumult thus appeas'd, each lays aside 
His arms, and many, too, their discontent : 

And Godfrey enters his pavilion wide, 
On various things and new devices bent : 

For he arranges that th' assault be tried 
Before the second or third day be spent ; 

And goes to' inspect the beams which had been brought, 

And into dread machines had now been wrought. 



M 



162 



CASIO IX, 

ARGCTE>~. 

Soon as the horrid night has wrapp'd the skies, 
Alecto arms the Soldan's breast with ire ; 

Whence with his troops, whom Araby supplies, 
He niakes the slaughtered Christian host retire. 

Bnt now the Fiend ehas'd by God's angel flies : 
Fresh spirit do the Faithful hence acquire; 

And force the Turk at last away to ride, 

Some gallant knights arriving on their side. 

I. 
I i Hell's grand imp, who sees appeas'd each breast 

Of late so turbulent, and its wrath resign'd, 
And could not butt against the Fates, nor wrest 

Aside the counsels of the changeless Mind, 
Set out ; and the glad fields were dispossess'd 

: verdure where she pass'd, and no sun shin'd : 
. minister of other woes and spite, 
n new adventure she address'd her flight. 
n. 
Aware that, hy the help of her allies, 

The son of Bertold, Tancred, and the most 
Robust and feard of th' others in the' emprise, 

Are now far distant from the Syrian coast, 
•• Why loiter more ! Let Solynian," she cries, 
" Unlook'd-for come, and war against their host. 
Surely, at least I hope, we shall subdue 
A camp discordant, and diminished too." 

hi. 
This said, she flew to the' arm'd and wand'ring men 

With whom as leader Solyman ahode, 
That Solyman than whom more savage then 

N rebel against Gods dominion strode, 
Nor would do still should Earth produce again 

Her giant brood if wronged in some new mode. 
King of the Turks was he, and us'd to own 
The city { jjice as his imperial throne. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 163 

IV. 

His realm stretch'd o'er against the Grecian shore 

From Sangaris to where Meander swells, 
Where Mysians, Phrygians, Lydians dwelt of yore, 

And Pontns and Bithynia spread their dells. 
But when the foreign armament pass'd o'er 

To Asia 'gainst the Turks and Infidels, 
His lands were warr'd on ; and, compell'd to yield, 
Himself was twice defeated in the field. 

v. 
And having vainly tried again his fate, 

And been by force thrust from his native land, 
He sought a shelter in th' Egyptian state, 

Whose king was a magnanimous host and bland, 
Pleas'd that a warrior of renown so great 

Offer' d to join in his emprises grand, 
For he now meant to bar the Christian host 
From gaming conquests on the Syrian coast. 

VI. 

But ere he openly announc'd his bold 

And warlike schemes against them, he was fain 

That Solyman, whom he well supplied with gold 
For that design, should list the Arab train. 

Xow while from Asia and each Moorish hold 
He rais'd a host, the Turk contriv'd to gain 

With little toil the greedy Arabs o'er, 

Robbers and hirelings ever from of yore. 

VII. 

Thus made their chief, he scour'd from all around 

Judaea, ravaging and gathering prey, 
So that he clos'd all passage o'er the ground 

Which 'twixt the coast and Prankish army lay : 
And still remembering his pride's old wound, 

And ruinous fall of his imperial sway, 
His fiery thoughts on greater counsels ran ; 
Yet was he nut assur'd nor fix'd in plan. 

VIII. 

To him Alecto comes, and wears the mien 
Of one who under age's burden bends ; 

Xo blood, much wrinkle, in the face are seen, 
And from the lip, not chin, a beard extends ; 

Her head wears lengthen'd rolls of linen sheen ; 
Beneath the knees her flowing robe descends • 

Her side the scimitar^ her shoulders show 

The quiver ; in her hand she bears the bow. 



164 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO TX. 

IX. 

'■ Still," slie exclaims, " we scour these empty plains, 

These ever barren and deserted sands, 
On which no longer any prey remains, 

And never honor'd palm awaits our hands : 
Godfrey meanwhile with all his force enchains 

The city whose batter'd wall wide open stands, 
And we shall mark, if there be more delays, 
E'en from this spot, the ruin and the blaze. 

x. 
" Are captur'd flocks and beeves and hamlets fir'd 

Trophies for Solyman to boast of long 1 
Is thus thy kingdom to be re-acquir'd 1 

Or think 'st thou thus to venge thy loss and wrong ? 
Dare, dare ! by night, while in his lines retir'd, 

Oppress the barbarous tyrant and his throng. 
Believe thine old Araspes, whose advice 
Enthron'd or exil'd, thou hast held in price. 

XI. 

" He nor expects, nor fears us, will despise 
The Arabs naked and not brave at best ; 

Nor will believe a race which robs and flies, 
And dares no more, so high will lift its crest. 

Yet will thy courage make their courage rise 
Against a camp which lies unarm 'd at rest." 

Thus did she speak, and breath' d into his mind 

Her burning rage, and mingled with the wind. 

XII. 

The warrior cries, lifting his hand to Heaven : 
" thou, who with such fury goad'st my soul, 

Nor mortal art, though to thy form be given 
Man's face, I follow to the' invited goal. 

I come : and will make hills where all is even, 
Hills of the slain and wounded ; there shall roll 

Eivers of blood. Be thou but with me there, 

And guide my weapons through the blinded air." 

XIII. 

He ceas'd, and quickly gather'd every band, 

And cheer'd with speech the slow and vile in mind ; 

And with his own hot will, as with a brand, 
Inflam'd the camp to follow him behind. 

Alecto signals with the trump ; her hand 
Itself unfolds the banner to the wind. 

So fast does the camp march, or rather run, 

That sooner than Fame's flight its course is done. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 165 

XIV. 

Alec to goes with it ; then quits, and wears 

The dress and mien of who has news to bring : 
And in the hour at which the world's affairs 

'Twixt night and day suspense are balancing, 
She enters great Jerusalem, and bears 

Through sorrowing crowds high message to the king 
Of the grand camp's arrival, its design, 
And of the night assault, its hour, and sign. 

xv. 
But now the shades extend a horrid veil 

\Thich spreads and tints itself with mists of red : 
The earth, on which the nightly hoar-frosts fail, 

Is bath'd with warm and bloody dews instead. 
Malignant wand'ring ghosts are heard to wail, 

Monsters and prodigies are rife o'erhead. 
Pluto made void th' abyss, and out he pour'd 
All his black night in Stygian cavern stor'd. 

xvi. 
The fiery Soldan through the shade profound 

Troops onward tow'rd th' encampment of his foes. 
But when the night has mounted half the round 

Whence then it falls as swiftly as it rose, 
He comes within a mile of where lay bound 

The unsuspecting Frank in deep repose. 
Here to refresh his troops he made them halt, 
And thus he cheer'd them to the fierce assault : 

XVII. 

" Full of a thousand thefts ye there behold 
A camp more famous far than it is brave, 

\Vhich into its voracious gulf has rolTd 
All Asia's wealth like the absorbing wave. 

To you kind chance exposes all this gold, 
And never prize Avith less of peril gave. 

Their arms and steeds, with purple trick' d and gem, 

Shall be your booty, and no fence to them. 

XVIII. 

" Xor is this now the host by which at first 
The Persian was subdued and Xice was ta'en, 

Because in war so long and so dispersed 
The larger portion of it has been slain : 

And e'en were it entire, 'tis now irnmers'd 
In deep repose, and down unarm'd has lain. 

Soon is he crush'd who is oppress' d by sleep : 

From sleep to death 'tis but a little leap. 



166 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO IX. 

XIX. 

■ ; Up ! up ! advance : I first will ope the way 

Into the camp o'er bodies beaten down. 
Strike every sword like mine, and in the fray 

All thoughts of mercy and. of pity drown. 
May Christ's detested kingdom fall to-day ! 

To-day win Asia, win to-day renown ! " 
Thus did he goad them to the strife at hand ; 
Then forward silently riiovd on the band. 

xx. 
Lo ! on the way the sentinels he descries 

In the dim doubtful light that creeps through air, 
Xor can he, as he firmly hop'd, surprise 

The cautious Chief, and reach him unaware. 
The sentinels retire at once with cries, 

Perceiving such a host advancing there, 
So that the foremost guard, wak'd on their way, 
Prepares itself for war as best it may. 

XXI. 

Th' Arabians make their barbarous tubes resound, 
Certain that they can be conceal'd no more. 

Dread cries ascend to Heaven, and the ground 
By neighing steeds is loudly, trampled o'er. 

Roar the high hills, the vales ; and thence rebound 
The deep abysses, answering to the roar, 

And now Alecto lifts the torch of Hell, 

Concerted sign, which they o' the mount can spell. 

XXII. 

The Soldan rushes on, the foremost he, 

Upon the guards' unrang'd and startled pow'r 

So swift that slower doth the storm-blast flee 
Prom cavem'd mountain in tempestuous hour. 

Torrent that hurls away the house and tree, 

Thunder that batters clown and burns the tow'r, 

Earthquake that o'er the world a horror flings, 

Pois'd with his fury, are but trifling things. 

XXIII. 

His weapon never falls except to hit ; 

ZSTor hits it ever without wounding too ; 
Xor wounds but that a soul away doth flit : 

More would I say, but false would seem the true. 
He sure must feign, or from all pain be quit, 

Or else not feel when others thrust and hew ; 
Although his batter'd helm with bell-like sound 
Rings out, and sparkles horribly around. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 167 

XXIV. 

When lie alone has routed on the plain 

This first Frank troop, then like a flood whose might 
Is swoll'n by a thousand rills, the Arab train 

Arrive at running pace to share the fight. 
Then fly the Franks away with loosen' d rein, 

And victors become mix'd with those in flight : 
And with them cross the trench, and all is rife 
With ruins, and with horror, and with strife. 

XXV. 

Lo on the Soldan's helm, horrid and grand, 

A snake with neck which stretches and unties ; 

It rises on its paws ; its wings expand ; 
And in a curve its tail bifurcate plies ; 

It seems to dart three tongues, on which are scarm'd 
Dun gouts of foam • one hears the hiss arise. 

And now that the fight burns, its wondrous frame 

Burns too, thus mov'd, and breathes out smoke and flame. 

XXVI. 

The Soldan seems as dread to those who meet 
His awful form in such a light display' d, 

As to the voyager seems wild ocean's beat 
Amid a thousand flashes in the shade. 

Some give at once to flight their trembling feet • 
Others their hands undaunted to the blade : 

And fiercer still night blends the wild uproar, 

And, hiding risks, increases them the more. 

XXVII. 

Mid those who show'd the noblest heart there came 
Latinus, who was born where Tiber flows : 

Fatigue had not subdued his weary frame, 

Nor years his strength which still in vigour rose : 

Five sons, who were in height almost the same, 
Stood at his side whene'er he encounter'd foes, 

Pressing with armour ere the season due, 

Their tender face and members that still grew. 

XXVIII. 

Kous'd by their sire's example, on they press'd, 

Their wrath inflam'd with gore, their steel bedy'd ; 

When : " Hie we where yon felon lifts his crest 
So proudly mid the fugitives," he cried ; 

" Nor let the slaughter which among the rest 
His weapon makes, retard your wonted pride ; 

For that, my sons, is but a poor renown 

Which some surmounted horror does not crown." 



16S TORQUATO rAS80. caXTO IX. 

XXIX. 

Thus the ferocious liouess leads her young, 

From whose unfurnish'd neck no mane vet han_-. 
Nor with their years their savage claws have sprang 

To the full size, nor their tremendous fam-. 
Down with her to the prey, where perils throng, 

And teaches them to rush amid the clangs 
Of hunters, who disturb their native wood, 
And scare the Leasts of less courageous mood. 

xxx. 
The five, incautious, with the father run 

On Solyman, assault him ; gird him round ; 
And th' aim, the object, and the spirit are one 

Which in those six assailing spears are found. 
But quitting his good spear the elder son, 

Too bold, upon that fierce one makes a bound, 
And with the piercing sword attempts in vain 
To make him fall beneath his courser slain. 

XXXI. 

But as a rock exposed to stormy blast 

Upon whose base the ocean waves are riven, 

Firm in itself endures the billows vast, 

The winds, the bolts, and all the wrath of H: 

Thus does the fiery Soldan now stand fast 

In spite of swords and spears against h im driven. 

And cleaves the head of the brave youth, who : 

I : smite his steed, between the cheek and eyes. 

XXXII. 

Aramanth puts his arm forth to sustain 
With tender care his brother falling prone, 

Affection which is all as rash as vain, 
And to another's ruin adds his own ! 

For on that arm which thus supports the slain 
The Pagan smites, and both are overthrown. 

And fainting one upon the other lies, 

Conrmingling thus their blood and latest sagos. 

XXXIII. 

Then sever'd he Sabinus' lance which came 
Infesting him from far with spiteful thru.-:. 

And spurr'd his steed on him with such an aim 
As to beat down and tread him in the dust 

With great reluctance from its youthful frame 
Went forth the soul sorrowing that leave it n 

The gentle breath of life, and the glad days 

Of tender age already cro'wn'd with praise. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 169 

XXXIV. 

Pious and Laurens yet stood firm on earth ; 

These in one natal hour enrich'd their sire, 
A pair most like, and hence the sweetest mirth 

From oft mistake shone round their household fire. 
But if they had been made alike by birth, 

Unlike they now are made by foeman dire ; 
Ah hard distinction ! for the' one's neck and bust 
Are sever'd, the' other through the heart is thrust. 

XXXV. 

The sire, ah sire no more ! cruel fate 

That robs him of so many at one blow ! 
In these five dead sees his own death too late, 

And all his progeny now lying low. 
Xor know I how that old man so elate 

And strong could be in such atrocious woe 
As still to breathe and fight ; but perhaps the plight 
And looks of his dead sons escap'd his sight \ 

xxxvi. 
And of such agony his eye can read 

A portion only through the friendly shade. 
Yet cares he nought in combat to succeed, 

Unless himself be also lowly laid. 
Prodigal of his blood, and full of greed 

Most greedy for that other's is he made : 
Xor can one well tell in him which desire 
Is most intense, to kill or to expire. 

XXXVII. 

But cries he to his foe : " Is then this hand 

So despicable in thy sight, and frail, 
That all the force which it can now command 

To call thy rage on me can not avail % " 
Then mute, he strikes a blow so hard, so grand, 

That crush' d together are both plate and mail, 
And on his side it falls and gashes so 
That from the wound warm blood begins to flow. 

XXXVIII. 

The savage at that cry, that blow, has wheel'd 
And tow'rd him with his rage and falchion hies, 

He opes his mail, and first has op'd his shield, 
Eound which the seven-times folded leather plie's : 

And in his bowels is the blade conceal' d. 
Wretched Latinus gives a groan and dies ; 

And vomits in an alternating flood 

Xow through the wound, and now the mouth, his blood. 



170 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO IX 

XXXIX. 

As in the Apennines a sturdy oak, 

AYhich scorn'd the war of every wintry blast, 
If crash'd at last by some tempestuous stroke, 

Pulls down the trees around with ruin vast ; 
Thus did he sink, and so his fury awoke 

That he dragg'd several down with him at last. 
That end became so brave a warrior well, 
Who scatter'd ruin round him as he fell. 

XL. 

While thus the Soldan's hateful passions yearn 
Tor human dead, and gain their long demand, 

The Arabs also stimulated turn 

With deadly force upon the Christian band. 

The English Henry dies, and Olifern 
The German, Dragutes, by thy hand. 

Gilbert and Philip born upon the Ehine 

To savage Ariadene their lives resign. 

XLI. 

Albazar beats down Ernest with a mace ; 

And Engerlan is stabb'd by Algazel. 
But who this mode of death, or that, can trace, 

And say how many nameless vulgar fell ? 
Godfrey was rous'd at once from sleep's embrace, 

And has been active since the earliest yell. 
Xow is he arm'd, and now together brings 
Large troops, and now with them away he springs. 

XLII. 

After the cry, hearing a tumult sound 

"Which seem'd to grow more dread and to expand, 
He knew that sudden onset would be found 

To spring from the marauding Arab band, 
Eor 'twas not hid from him that all around 

These had for days been scouring o'er the land ; 
Although he never deem'd that they would dare, 
A crowd so fugitive, to' assail him there. 

XLIII. 

Xow while he hastens, suddenly he hears 

" Arms, arms," from an opposing quarter cried. 

And horribly at once the heav'nly spheres 

Thunder with barbarous veilings far and wide. 

This is Clorinda ; to th' assault she cheers 
The royal force, Argante at her side, 

The Captain turns to Guelph then, whom he names 

Lieutenant of his host, and thus exclaims : 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 171 

XLIV. 

" Listen to yonder shouts of war which start 
Anew from the tall city and reach the vale. 

There shall we need thy valour, and thine. art, 
To check that foe where first it shall assail. 

Go then, and look to this ; and take a part 
Of these with me, already arm'd in mail : 

I with the rest, to the' other side will go 

Meanwhile to meet the onset of the foe." 

XLV. 

This being settled, equal fortune speeds 

The two, though different were the paths they chose. 
Guelph seeks the hill \ the sov'reign Chief proceeds 

To where th' Arabians now scarce meet with foes. 
But he, still gathering fresh people, feeds 

His forces every instant as he goes • 
So that, already ponderous made, and grand, 
He comes where the fierce Pagan stains his brand. 

XLVI. 

Thus hurrying downward from its native bed, 
The humble Po fills not the narrow mound ; 

But aye the further from the fount 'tis led, 
More proudly from new force does it abound ; 

O'er the burst barrier lifts its taurine head, 
And spreads its floods triumphant all around, 

And thrusts with several horns the sea afar, 

And seems to bring not tribute there, but war. 

XLVII. 

Godfrey where'er he sees his people show 

Dismay or flight, runs, threats them with disgrace : 

" What fear," he cries, " is this % whither then go ] 
Behold at least who 'tis that gives you chase. 

A vile troop chases you which does not know 
How to receive, nor give wounds on the face : 

And if they saw you turn'd against them now, 

Would dread the weapons even of your brow." 

XLVIII. 

This said, he pricks his steed, and makes him wheel 
To where he had seen the Soldan's murderous wrong. 

He dashes through the midst of blood, and steel, 
And dust, and risks, and deaths, a grisly throng": 

With sword and thrust each path doth he unseal 
However clos'd, each rank however strong, 

And down on either side ne'er fails to strike 

Horsemen and horses, arms and arm'd alike. 



172 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO IX. 

XLIX. 

With bound on bound o'er heaps of slain, who lie 
Confus'd and* deep, he speeds on his career. 

The Soldan, seeing the fierce onset nigh, 
Intrepid neither flies, nor e'en will veer ; 

But speeds against him, and uplifting high 
His steel to smite him down, approaches near. 

Oh what two cavaliers in mortal fight 

Does fortune from the world's extremes unite ! 

L. 

Fury with valour in a ring how small 

Contests here now for Asia's grand domain ! 

Who can relate how swiftly their swords fall, 
How terrible the combat they maintain ? 

I pass o'er things whose horror would appal, 

Things done while night asserts her gloomy reign, 

But worthy of the sun's most brilliant rays, 

And that all mortals should be brought to gaze. 

LI. 

The spirits of the host of Jesu swell, 

Led by so brave a guide, and on they bound • 

And a dense troop of those who' in arms excel 

Press on the murd'rous Turk, and fence him round. 

Nor do the faithful more than the infidel, 

Nor these more than the first, bestain the ground ; 

But both alike, subduing and subdued, 

Deal death around, and perish in that feud. 

LIT. 

As, equal in their might, with equal rage 

The North and South wind meet in battle proud ; 

And neither yields on sea or sky the stage, 

But dashes wave on wave, and cloud on cloud : 

So neither side of those who here engage 
In desp'rate strife are bea/fcen back or bow'd. 

Shield rings on shield, and helms from helms rebound, 

And swords from swords, with a tremendous sound. 

LTII. 

Nor less severe the contest which befell 

Elsewhere, nor was the throng of war less dense. 

A myriad clouds and more of Spirits of Hell 
Have fill' d throughout th' aerial fields immense, 

And made the Pagan force so proudly swell 
That none e'er dreams of quitting his defence : 

Pir'd is Argante by th' infernal torch, 

But feels his own flame still more fiercely scorch. 






CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 173 

LIV. 

The guards he too had routed on his side, 
And o'er the rampart at a bound had sped : 

He fill'd with mangled limbs the trenches wide, 
LevelTd the way, and made th' assault less dread ; 

So that the others follow'd him, and dy'd 
The foremost tents with an ensanguin'd red. 

With him Clorinda vied, or little space 

Was left behind, scorning the second place. 

LV. 

Already had the Franks fled, when in mode 
Most opportune came Guelph up and his band, 

And, making those who ran reverse their road, 
Sustain' d the Pagan's rage with his good hand. 

Thus did they fight, and equally blood flow'd 
From either side in streams upon the sand. 

Meanwhile from His grand seat the King of Heaven 

Beheld that war so savage, and so even. 

LVI. 

There sat He whence, both good and just, He sways 
All worlds, and frames them by His voice alone, 

Above the low bounds of earth's narrow maze 
At heights to sense and reason all unknown, 

And shone with three lights blent into one blaze 
Upon eternity's majestic throne. 

Xature and Fate are at His feet submiss, 

And Motion also, and what measures this, 

LVII. 

And Place, and she who spoils and sweeps from sight 
Like vapour, or like dust, earth's every prize, 

Gold, glory, empire, as to Heav'n seems right, 
]Nor, Goddess, ever heeds our human sighs. 

Here He so wraps himself in His own light 
That e'en the worthiest veil their dazzled eyes : 

Him numberless immortal spirits surround, 

Equal unequally in their joy profound. 

LVI1I. 

The heav'nly palace echoes to their song 
Attun'd in grand concent by joyous quire. 

He summons Michael, who in armour strong 
Of lucid adamant flames forth like fire ; 

And says: "Perceiv'st thou not how Hell's dark throng 
Against my faithful cherish'd flock conspire 

In arms rebellious, and from lowest deep 

To vex the world on soaring pinion sweep 1 



174 TORQUATO TASSO. canto IX. 

LIX. 

" Go ; tell them, thou, no more henceforth to niell 
"With war, which warriors only should sustain ; 

Xor to disturb and poison with their spell 

The kingdom of the quick and Heav'n's domain. 

Let them return to the deep glooms of Hell, 
Then worthy dwelling, and to their just pain ; 

Torment themselves there and the souls below. 

So I command, and I have fix'd it so." 

LX. 

He ceas'd. The leader of the winged host 

Bow'd down with rev'rence at th' Almighty's feet. 

Then for the flight his golden vans are toss'd 
Fleet so that thought itself is not so fleet. 

The spheres of fire and light are quickly cross'd 
Where Blest ones have then fix'd and glorious seat. 

Then the pure crystal, then the starry sphere 

Which rolls with an inverted course, is near. 

LXI. 

Thence from the left, diverse in visual ray 
And in effect, wheel Jove's and Saturn's ball, 

And the' others which can ill be said to stray, 
If angel virtue' inform and move them all. 

Then from the glad bright fields of endless day 
He issues, whence the rains and thunders fall, 

To where the world feeds on itself, self torn, 

And in its own wars dies and is re-born. 

LXII. 

He comes and shakes with his eternal wings 

The thick-strewn darkness and the gloomy dread : 

The night is gilded by the light which springs 
All sparkling from around his heav'nly head. 

Thus oft upon the clouds the bright sun flings 
The lovely colours after rain is shed : 

Thus down to the great mother's breast is seen 

A star to fall, cleaving the air serene. 

LXIII. 

Arriv'd where th' impious troop of Hell prepare 
To make e'en more the Pagan fury rise ; 

Pois'd on his vigorous wings, he stops in air, 

And shakes his spear, and thus to them he cries : 

" TTell must ye know with what horrific glare 
The thunder of the world's Creator flies, 

ye who, mid contempt and bitterest ill 

Of misery extreme, are haughty still. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 175 

LXIV. 

" 'Tis fix'd in Heav'n that Sion shall unchain 
Her gates, her avails bow, to the Cross's might. 

Why war then upon Fate ? and the disdain 

And wrath of Heav'n why will ye thus invite % 

Hence, ye accursed, to your own domain, 
Domain of torment and of endless night, 

And on that spot, still doom'd to be your cell, 

\Yage all your wars, and all your triumphs tell. 

LXV. 

" Be cruel there ; there on the guilty lay 
Your malice, and let all your pow'r appear, 

Mid endless cries, and gnashing teeth, and bray 
Of steel, and shaken chains that rend the ear." 

He spake, and whom he saw reluctant stay, 

Them push'd and smote he with his fatal spear. 

They from the lovely realms of light were driven, 

And groaning quat the golden stars of Heaven. 

LXVT. 

And downward to th' abyss their wings they fann'd 
To' exasperate in the elanm'd their wonted woe. 

There crosses not the sea a flight so grand 

Of birds in search of suns with warmer glow : 

Xor Autumn e'er sees fall upon the land 

So many dry leaves when the chill winds blow. 

Keliev'd from these, the world soon puts away 

Its gloomy aspect, and again is gay. 

LXVIT. 

But yet Argante's rage and thirst for gore 
Burn not the less in his disdainful breast, 

Although Alecto breathe in it no more, 

Xor now the whips of Hell his side molest. 

He wheels his never-sparing falchion o'er 

The Franks where most entangled and compress'd ; 

aIows down the feeble and the strong, and treads 

At once on proudest and on humblest heads. 

LXVIII. 

Xot distant is Clorinda, and she fells 

No fewer, strewing linibs along her track ; 

Through the heart's middle, where the life-blood dwells, 
She stabs Berlinger's breast ; and that attack 

So vigorous is, and so exactly tells, [back. 

That her sword comes out bloodstain'd through the 

She strikes Albino then where first we draw 

Our food in, and cleaves Gallus on the jaw< 



176 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO IX. 

LXIX. 

She cuts off Gender's hand which dar'd invade 
Her first, and falls now scatt'ring sanguine rain. 

The hand, half-living, grasps e'en yet the blade, 
And glides with trembling fingers o'er the plain : 

Such is a serpent's tail, which oft when laid 
Apart attempts to join its trunk again. 

Thus maim'd she leaves him ; and then hastes to wheel 

Against Achilles, and lets fall the steel ; 

LXX. 

And 'twixt the nape and neck the blow she lays, 

And cuts the nerves through, and the throat complete. 

The head falls rolling downward and then strays, 
Befouling all the face with dust unmeet, 

Before the body has fall'n : the body stays, 
Marvel of mis'ry, pois'd upon the seat. 

But loosen'd from the rein the steed is quick 

To shake it off with many a wheel and kick. 

LXXI. 

While thus the heroine with still conquering aim 
Open'd and scourg'd the squadrons of the West, 

Gildippe on the other hand became 
IsTo less among her Saracens a pest. 

Of the same sex, their courage is the same, 
And equal valour all their deeds attest : 

Yet could they not each other prove, since Fate 

Beserv'd them for a foe of greater weight. 

LXXII. 

Here one, there the' other vainly push'd and tried 
To open the dense crowds and pass them by. 

But generous Guelph then his good falchion plied 
Against Clorinda, and approaching nigh 

Let fall a stroke upon her lovely side 

And somewhat ting'd the steel : a fell reply 

She gave to her assadant with a thrust 

That struck 'twixt rib and rib his pow'rful bust 

LXXIII. 

Then Guelph renew'd his blow, and struck her nought ; 

For Palestine Osmida chanc'd to pass, 
And thus the wound not meant for him was caught 

Upon his forehead, and clove through the brass. 
But many of those troops whom Guelph had brought 

And guided, throng'd now round him in a mass ; 
To the other side, too, gathering crowds were sent, 
So that the battle was confus'd and blent. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 1 < / 

LXXIV. 

Meanwhile Aurora's fair face was display VI 
Empurpled from the balcony of Heaven : 

And AjgUlan while here the tumult bray'd 
Had found device to get his fetters riven ; 

And hastily in uncertain arms array' d 

Such as, or good or worthless, chance had given, 

Came forth to sweep away his recent blame 

With recent services and recent fame. 

LXXV. 

As the wild steed which from the royal stall, 
\Yhere he stood ready for the joust or ring, 

Escapes and through large path, no more a thrall, 
Speeds to the herd, the mead, or wonted spring ; 

His dancing hairs o'er neck and shoulder fall, 
His proud and lofty neck is quivering, 

His feet sound, and his nostrils seem to blaze, 

Filling the meadows with sonorous neighs : 

LXXVI. 

Such Argillan comes forth ; his fierce looks glow, 
With courage is his lofty forehead fraught, 

His leaps are nimble, his feet so swiftly go 
That vainly on the dust their trace is sought. 

He lifts his voice when he has reach'd the foe 
Like one who can dare all, and cares for nought : 

" vile dregs of the world, dull Arab horde, 

How is't your courage has so highly soar'd 1 

LXXVII. 

• • Ye shrink from weight of helm and shield, how small 
Soe'er, nor arm the breast and back aright \ 

But timorous and naked ye let fall 

Your blows on air, and safety find in flight. 

Nocturnal are your deeds and studies all, 

Grand as they are ; and ye have aid from night : 

Xow that it flies, what can be your resource % 

Ye now need arms, and more unslmnking force." 

LXXVIII. 

And his good .sword, while yet these accents rung, 

On Algazel so fiercely down he swept, 
That it cut through the jaws, and clove the tongue 

YThich had begun to answer, and still leapt. 
O'er the poor wretch a sudden darkness hung, 

And through his bones an icy chillness crept : 
He fell, and full of rage seiz'cl with his teeth 
In dying the detested earth beneath. 

N 



178 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO IX. 

LXXIX. 

And then in various method Saladine 

And Agricalt and Muleass he slew : 
And near them smote Aldiazel on the chine 

With but one blow that clave him through and through. 
He deeply pierc'd the breast of Ariadine 

Fell'd him, and mock'd him with rough language too, 
Who rais'd his heavy eyes and thus replied, 
E'en while expiring, to those words of pride : 

LXXX. 

" Thou shalt not long, whoe'er thou art, remain 
To vaunt thee of this death, a victor high. 

Like fate awaits thee ; thou too shalt be slain 
By stronger hand, and at my side shalt lie." 

He smil'd in scorn, and cried : " Let Heav'n explain 
My fate hereafter ; meantime do thou die, 

Food for the birds and dogs." Then with his heel 

He press'd Mm, and drew forth both life and steel. 

LXXXI. 

A page of Solyman's was mingled there 

Among those arm'd with lances and with bows ; 

Upon whose lovely chin not yet the hair 
First scatter' d in life's vernal hours arose. 

Like pearls and dew-drops glist'ning on his fair 
And moisten' d cheek warm perspiration shows : 

To his neglected locks the dust adds grace ; 

And stern disdain is sweet in such a face. 

LXXXII. 

His steed is such that snows upon the steep 
Of Apennine new fall'n are not so white : 

Whirlwind or name can never wheel nor leap 
So rapidly as it is prompt and light. 

He sways a Moorish lance with graceful sweep : 
The sabre at his side is short and bright ; 

And with a barbarous pomp array' d, behold, 

He shines in tissue wov'n of purple and gold. 

LXXXIII. 

While thus the boy in whose young bosom bound 
The first fresh hopes of glory in all their force, 

Disturbs the squadrons here and there around, 
And there is none who can restrain his course ; 

Cool Argillan observes, while o'er the ground 
The stripling wheels, the time to spear his horse, 

And having found this, slays it by surprise, 

And o'er him stands almost ere he can rise. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 179 

LXXXIV. 

And to that suppliant face to which in vain 
Pity's protecting armour had been lent, 

He address' d his ruthless hand with cruel bane, 
And injur'd Nature's fairest ornament. 

The steel seem'd rife with sense, and more humane 
Than man was, turn'd round flat in its descent. 

But what avails it if with a new burst 

Of rage he struck just where he err'd at first ? 

LXXXV. 

The Soldan, who from thence not distant far 
Was now engag'd with Godfrey blade to blade, 

Left off the strife, and turn'd his steed of war, 
Soon as the page's peril he survey'd : 

And with the sword he brake through every bar, 
And came to venge him, but too late to aid : 

For there his murder' d Lesbin, ah ! what woe ! 

Like a sweet flow'r cut off, was lying low. 

LXXXVI. 

His languid eyes a look so gentle wore, 

And o'er his back the neck so drooping lay, 

So fair his paleness, and through death and gore 
So sweetly on his mien shone piety's ray, 

That the heart soften' d which was stone before, 
And in the midst of rage tears found their way. 

Weepest thou, Soldan ? thou who could'st descry 

Thy kingdom ravag'd with unmoisten'd eye ? 

LXXXVII. 

But when he saw the blood so much cleplor'd 
Still reek on the foe's weapon, he repress'd 

His pity, and his boiling wrath outpour' d, 

And stagnant were the tears within his breast. 

He ran on Argillan and rais'd his sword, 

Clove through the opposing shield, and then the ere 

And then the head and throat ; and blow so dire 

Was indeed worthy of the Soldan's ire. 

LXXXVIII. 

Nor yet content he leapt from off his steed, 
And warr'd e'en on the corpse there as it lay ; 

Like the fierce mastiff that will seize with greed 
The stone which struck and hurt him in the fray. 

comfort in such vast woe vain indeed, 
To be ferocious to th' insensate clay ! 

Meanwhile the Frankish leader on his foes 

Spent not in vain his anger and his blows. 



TOBQUATO TASSO. CANTO IX. 

LXXXIX. 

Tliere are a thousand Turks there who infold 

Their limbs in mail, and wear the helm and shield 
Untam'd of limb in toil, or heat, or cold, 

Ardent in spirit, skilful in the field : 
And these had been the soldiers from of old 

Of Solynian ; and when he was conceal'd 
In Arab deserts, in reverse still true, 
They follow'd him his hapless wand'rings through 

xc. 
These drawn together, ceas'd not to make head 

Against the Frank attacks however keen. 
On these did Godfrey rush, and smite the dread 

Corcutes' face, and on the flank Eostene. 
From Selim's shoulders he unloos'd the head, 

Cut off the right and left arm of Eossene : 
Xor these alone, but more he wounded still 
In other modes, and many did he kill. 

xci. 

\Yhile thus he smote the Saracens, and drew 

Upon himself in turn full many a scar, 
And in no part did that barbarian crew 

Abate in hope, or quail to Fortune's star ; 
Another cloud of dust, lo ! comes in view, 

^Vhich holds within its bosom bolts of war : 
1 ! unforeseen issues a flash of arms 
Which fills the Pagan camp with deep alarms. 

xcn. 
There are full fifty warriors who unfold 

On silver pure the conquering purple cross 
Xor could it with a hundred mouths be told, 

A hundred tongues, and iron lungs and voice. 
^Vhat numbers the fierce squadron as it rolTd 

Beat down in its first charge with death or loss 
Falls the weak Arab, and the Turk, unknown 
1 yield, resisting, fighting, is o'erthrown. 

XCIII. 

Horror, and cruelty, and fear, and hate 
Hurry around ; and death is seen to stray 

Throughout in every varied form ela: 
And on a lake of blood the billows play. 

The king had led already through a gate 
Part of bis force, assur'd now of the day. 

And from on high there view'd the plain I el 

And that still doubtful charge against the foe. 



CANTO IX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 181 

XCIV. 

But seeing his main army press'd so sore, 

He sounds the trump to call them from defeat, 
And sends off many a message to implore 

Argante and Clorinda to retreat. 
The savage pair ohey his hest no more, 

Drunken with blood, and blind and mad with heat ; 
Yet yield at last, and strive to re-unite 
Their scatter'd host, and to restrain its flight. 

xcv. 
But who can rule the vulgar, and command 

Baseness and fear ? The flight has now begun. 
One quits his shield, one eases his right hand • 

Steel is a hindrance, and defence is none. 
A vale 'twixt where the camp and city stand 

Sinks from the westward tow'rd the midday sun : 
Hither they hurry, and a gloomy pall 
Of dust is roll'd up with them tow'rd the wall. 

xcvi. 
While thus precipitate they sought the' incline, 

Dread was the slaughter which the Christians made. 
But when in mounting they drew near in fine 

To where the barbarous king might give them aid, 
Guelph at such odds would not expose his line 

On that steep Alpine path to loss and raid. 
He stays his people, and within the bars, 
The king draws his, fair remnant of sad wars. 

xcvu. 
AVhat earthly force can do, the Soldan brave 

Meanwhile has done, and more is now denied. 
He is all blood and sweat, and pantings, grave 

And frequent, hurt his breast, and shake his side. 
His languid arm the shield can barely wave ; 

Slowly his sword moves, and in wheels less wide ; 
It bruises, and not cuts, and, grown obtuse, 
The weapon has now lost a weapon's use. 

xcvin. 
Aware of this, he seem'd in the' act to stand 

Of one who weigh'd two schemes ; and to debate 
If he should perish, and with his own hand 

Eob others of the fame from deed so great ; 
Or else, surviving his defeated band, 

Prolong his life to a more distant date. 
" Let Fate," did he exclaim at last, " succeed, 
And be this flight of mine its crowning meed. 



182 



TORQUATO TASSO. 
XCl£ 



" Let the foe view my back, and raise a song 

At our unmerited exile again, 
If they but see me newly arm'd ere long 

Disturb their peace and never- stable reign. 
I yield not, no ; the memory of my wrong 

Shall last for ever, so shall my disdain. 
I will arise, e'en when but dust below 
And naked spirit, a still more cruel foe." 



183 



CANTO X. 



ARGUMENT. 



The Soldan sinks reluctant to repose 

Through length of toil and night's obscuring wing; 
And while his heart, in sleep e'en, feels its woes, 

Ismene appears and brings him to the king. 
Arrnida's art the Frankish knights disclose 

To the Frank Chief, and of their doubts the string ; 
And Peter tells him in prophetic strain 
What honors on Einaldo Heav'n will rain. 

I. 
While he was speaking yet, a courser stray 'd 

Close to his path with wand'ring step and slow : 
On the loose rein his hand was quickly laid, 

And up he sprang, though tir'd and press'd with woe. 
Fall'ii is the crest once horribly display'cl, 

Leaving the helm dishonor'd now and low ; 
His upper vest is torn, and shows no trace 
Of all its pomp superb and regal grace. 

ii. 
As comes the wolf who from the fold has sprung 

Chas'd off, and tow'rd the wood is forc'd to draw, 
Who though he have indeed already flung 

Abundance down his deep and ravenous maw, 
Greedy for blood e'en yet holds out his tongue, 

And sucks it from his unclean lips and jaw \ 
Such after that red slaughter forth he went, 
His craving hunger not e'en yet content. 

in. 
And as his fortune is, he scapes at last 

The cloud of whistling shafts that fly around, 
And all the swords uprais'd, and jav'lins cast, 

And instruments of death that so abound : 
And now unknown is hurrying onward fast 

O'er the most lonely and deserted ground : 
And in himself revolving what were best, 
Is toss'd on stormy thoughts which never rest, 



184 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO X. 

IV. 

At last resolves lie to go where th' array 
Of Egypt's king is gathering up its might, 

And join with him in arms, and thus essay 
Once more the fortune of another noht. 

o 

This being fix'd, he suffers no delay 

To intervene, and takes the road aright, 
For well he knows the ways, nor needs a guide, 
Tow'rd ancient Gaza by the ocean side. 

v. 
Xor though he feel his body tir'd and frail, 

And of his many wounds the smart be sore, 
Eeposes he for this, nor doffs his mail ; 

But all the day in travelling passes o'er. 
Then when the deep shades make each object fail 

In vividness, and darken more and more, 
Dismounts he, binds his wounds, and as may suit 
His lessen'd strength, shakes a tall palm for fruit \ 

VI. 

And, feeding upon this, on the bare field 
Seeks to accommodate his travail'd side, 

And, with his head laid on th' obdurate shield, 
To calm his weary thoughts, a restless tide. 

But now the pain from his deep wounds unheal' d 
Grows worse and worse as on the moments glide, 

And gnawn, too, is his breast and his heart torn 

By those internal vultures, grief and scorn. 

VII. 

At last when night has now become so deep 
That all the world around in silence lies, 

Subdued by toils he has begun to steep 
In Lethe his deep cares and miseries, 

Composing in a brief and languid sleep 

His batter' d members and his drooping eyes. 

And while he slumbers yet, a voice severe 

Thunders in words like these upon his ear : 

VIII. 

" Solyman, Solyman, shake off thy slow 

And ling'ring sleep, which happier time may crave. 

Since under the hard yoke of foreign foe 

The country where thou reign'clst is yet a slave. 

In this land sleep'st thou % dost thou not, then, know 
It holds thy followers' bones without a grave % 

TVhere there exist such traces of thy wrong, 

Thus idly canst thou slumber all night long T 5 



CANTO X. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 185 

IX. 

The Soldan, wak'ning, lifts his eyes with pain, 

And sees a man of reverend mien and grey, 
With crooked staff to guide and to sustain 

His aged feet upon their devious way. 
" And who art thou," he asks him with disdain, 

" Who com'st, unwelcome phantasm, thus to fray 
The travellers from short sleep 1 And what can be 
Either my shame or my revenge to thee % " 

x. 
The old man answers : "I am one to whom 

Thy newly form'd design is partly known, 
And come to thee as taking in thy doom 

More int'rest than thou deem'dst would e'er be shown. 
Nor biting speech do I in vain assume, 

For raillery is virtue's whetting-stone ; 
In good part take it, Sire, that by my word 
Thy ready valour is thus whipp'd and spurr'd. 

XI. 

" Xow since thy steps, if well I understand, 

Will needs be turn'd tow'rd Egypt's mighty king, 

I augur that thou'lt traverse a rough land 
Uselessly if to that design thou cling : 

Since though thou go not, still the Saracen band 
Will soon be gather'd, and will soon take wing : 

Xor is there room for thee to' employ and show 

On such a stage thy valour 'gainst our foe. 

XII. 

" But if thou follow me, I'll hold me bound 
To place thee safe when day is at its height, 

Inside that wall which the Erank arms surround, 
Without one sword opposing thee in fight. 

Hard contest in which toils and arms abound 
Shall here afford thee glory and delight. 

Thou shalt defend the land till shall arrive 

Th' Egyptian host to make the war revive." 

XIII. 

The fiery Turk admires, while thus address'd, 
The eyes and voice of the' old man at his side ; 

And from his own face and ferocious breast 
Puts quite away his anger and his pride. 

" Father," he cries, " I am prompt, at thy request, 
And swift to follow thee : be thou my guide. 

That counsel ever will seem best to me 

In which the most of toil and risk may be." 



1 8 fOBQUATC EAsaa WTO X. 

XIV. 

The old mail lands hi- woi : .~. and. since the dews 

Have made his many wounds acutely sore, 
Pools in them juice of his, and thus renews 

The waning strength, and heals each bk : ly w 
And ^i^;r the roses which Aurora stews 

Are being by Apollo gilded o'er, 
" 'Tis time to move, he said : u :he sun unma sks 
The paths, and calls forth others ;: ;Lti: tasks 

xv. 
A car which stood close by at his command 

He and the fierce Nicene ascend with speed. 
He -lacks the reins and with a master hand 

Strikes with alternate lashes either steed. 
They hurry so that on the plain of sand 

IS i trace of wherl :: :: ;: is left to read. 
Behold them smoke and pant now in their flight, 
And foaming cover all the bits with white. 

XVI. 

I will tell marvels : the' air around unseen 

Is press' d into a cloud as by a weight, 
And girds the car, and makes for it a screen, 

And yet no cloud appears, or small or gre i 
Nor ever stone, launch a forth by huge machine, 

Through fold so close and dense could penetrate 
The pair can from its hollow hies si lescry 
The mists around, and o'er them the bright sky. 

xvn. 
Eh 1 astonish' d knight has of his eyebrows ma le 

Two arcs, and knits his forehead while he e 
The cloud and car o'er every let convey 'd 

With such velocity that he deems it flies. 
The other who perceives his mind o'erweigh'd 

With stupor since he alters not his guise, 
Breaks through that silence, and recalls his senses 
Whence he a::v. ; T- him, and thus commences : 

xvin. 
"0 thou, whoe'er thou art. who "gainst all use 

Compellest nature to works strange and high, 
And revest through the Bnamhers most recluse 

Of human bosoms with thy searching eye, 
If thou art able, by the skill abstruse 

Infos' d from Heav'n, things distant to des : 
Tell me. I pray, what wreck or what rej jee 
Heav'n has decreed :: Asia's mighty thrc 



CANTO X. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 187 

XIX. 

" But tell me first thy name, and with what lore 

Thou'rt wont to do unwonted things like these ; 
For if my deep astonishment be not o'er, 

How can thy other words be heard, or please '? " 
The old man smil'd, and said : " Of tins thy store 

Of questions, one part I can solve with ease. 
I am Ismene, and, as the Syrians tell, 
A wizard, since in unknown arts I excel. 

xx. 
" But to reveal the future, and lay bare 

For thine inspection fate's eternal scroll, 
Is a desire too bold, too high a pray'r; 

So much is yielded not to man's control. 
Let each below with strength and sense prepare 

To' advance through loss and peril tow'rd the goal ; 
Since oft it happens that the brave and wise 
Frame for themselves their own bright destinies. 

XXI. 

" Do thou prepare against their sword and flame 
Thy matchless right hand which with ease can rend 

Asunder the Frank empire's tott'ring frame, 
Much more can fortify, much more defend 

This place at which the fierce besiegers aim. 
Dare, sutler, trust ; I hope a joyful end. 

Yet will I tell, because it may delight, 

What looms as through a mist upon my sight. 

XXII. 

" I see, or seem to see, ere the great star 

Eternal shall have many lustres run, 
A man who shall make Asia fam'd afar, 

And fertile Egypt's kingdom shall have won. 
To speak of useful arts succeeding war, 

And myriad virtues dimly seen, I shun ; 
Let this alone suffice thee, that his arm 
Shall not shake Christendom with mere alarm : 

XXIII. 

" But from its base that empire which they hold 

In the last conflict shall uprooted be, 
And their afflicted remnant shall be roll'd 

Into small space, defended but by sea. 
This man shall own thy blood." The wizard old 
\ Here ceas'd to speak, and then responded he : 
" blest whose lot shall be such praise as this ! " 
And part he envies, part enjoys the bliss. 



188 TORQUATO TASSO. yio X. 

XXIV. 

He then subjoin' d : " Let Fortune still befall 

Or good or ill. as Heavn shall rule her mood, 
Since over me she hath no pow*r at all, 

And ne'er shall see me if not unsubdued. 
She must be able from their course to call 

The moon and stars ere me she shall detrude 
One step from the right path." He said no more. 
But with a fiery courage sparkled o'er. 

xxv. 
As on they went, they reason'd on this wise 

Until they saw the tents arising near. 
Before them what a cruel sight there lies, 

And in how many shapes doth death appear ! 
Turbid and gloomy grew the Soldan's eyes, 

And all his features were with sorrow drear. 
Ah ! with what scorn perceiv'd he on the ground 
His banner which had flung such terror round ! 

XXVI. 

He saw the glad Franks run and often tread 

On breast and face of many a well-known friend : 

And haughtily despoil th' unburied dead 

Of arms and vests : while others troop'd to' attend, 

With solemn pomp in long procession spread, 
Then lov'd ones' corpses to the mournful end. 

Others put flames beneath, and on one pyre 

Arabs and Turks were all eonsuni'd with fire. 

XXVII. 

He deeply sigh'd, and forth his sword he drew. 

Leapt from the car, and was on running bent, 
But the' old magician with a loud halloo 

Recall' d him, and restrain'd his mad intent : 
And having made him mount the car anew. 

Drove onward tow'rd the steepest hill's ascent. 
Thus went they for a space until their- road 
Lost sight of the Franks' military abode. 

XXVIII. 

Then quitted they the car, which disappeared 
Suddenly, and on foot they took their way 

In secret still within that vapour weird, 
Descending leftward where a valley lay, 

Until they came where tall Blount Sion rear'd 
His shoulders tow'rd the sinking orb of day. 

Here stopt the wizard, and then drawing nigh 

The beetling rock, scann'd it with curious : 



CANTO x. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 189 

XXIX. 

A hollow grot made many an age ago 

Expanded into the stone's karden'd mass ; 

But from disuse the thorns had learn'd to grow 
Over the lurking entrance, and the grass. 

Ismene remov'd the stops, and, curv'd and low, 
Adjusted him to thread the narrow pass : 

One hand preceded and explor'd the cave, 

The other to conduct the prince he gave. 

XXX. 

Then said the Soldan : " Whither, pray, may lead 
This stealthy path of thine which I must thread ? 

Perchance, hadst thou but to such course agreed, 
My sword had op'd a better in its stead." 

" Disdain not," he replied, " full of heed, 
With fearless foot this murky path to tread, 

Since the great Herod often press'd the same, 

He who in arms has yet such brilliant fame. 

XXXI. 

"When he would bridle in his subjects' pow'r, 
The king I mention hollow'd out this cave ; 

And could on foot pass through it from that tow'r 
Antonia (to which his great friend gave 

His name) invisible at any hour, 

Into the grand and ancient temple's nave ; 

And thence in secret quit the city's wall, 

And move troops out and in unknown to all. 

XXXII. 

" But now this lone and gloomy way is known 
Only to me, hidd'n from all other eyes. 

Through this we'll go to where around the throne 
In council sit the most renown'd and wise ; 

For more of terror has the monarch shown, 
Than perhaps he should do now that ills arise. 

Thou com'st then at great need ; list, and be mute ; 

Then utter daring words when time shall suit." 

XXXIII. 

Thus spake he, and on this the Moorish knight 
Stopt with his bulky frame the cavernous rent, 

And through the path which never knew the light 
Still follow'd him whose guiding aid was lent. 

He stoop'd ere ent'ring ; but that cave in height 
And breadth enlarg'd the further that they went. 

So that they mounted up with ease, and then 

Soon reach'd almost the midst of the dark den. 



190 TORQUATO TASSO. :: I0 x. 

XXXIV. 

And here Isniene unclos'd a narrow door, 

And they Trent np an unfrequented stair, 
On which through lofty vent there seeni'd to pour 

A dim uncertain light from upper air. 
At last they reach' d a subterranean floor, 

And clomb thence to a hall in day's broad glare. 
With sceptre here, and diadem on brow, 
The sad king with sad lords was seated now. 

xxxv. 
The fiery Turk look'd round, and from inside 

The hollow cloud view VI all, himself unsh :""::. 
And heard the monarch with abated pride 

Begin thus from his decorated throne : 
• " The day now pass'd, friends in danger tried, 

Has been disastrous to our pow'r, I own. 
And, fallen from our hope erewhile so high, 
On Egypt's aid alone can we tely. 

xxxvi. 
" But ye must needs perceive mid perils that call 

For instant help how distant is that aid. 
Hence hare I summon'd you together all 

That each one's counsel may be plainly said." 
He eeas'd; and a low murmur round the hall 

S : unds like the breeze within a leafy glade. 
But with a face where spirit and joy redound, 
Argante rising calms the murmuring sound. 

XXXVII. 

•• Alagnanimous monarch," such was the reply 

Of the untam'd and savage cavalier, 
" Why tempt us. and ask that which all desc 

And needs no voice of ours to make it deal 
Yet, list ; upon ourselves let us rely, 

And if in truth no harm comes Virtue near, 
Arm we ourselves with her : her aid intreat, 
Noi more than she approves let life be sweet. 

XXXVIII. 

■• Not speak I thus as though despairing quite 
Of Egypt's aid, pledg'd firmly, and soon due ; 

Since it can neither lawful be nor right 
To doubt if my king's promises 1 a true. 

I say it but because I would en;i:r 

That nobler spirit in some whom here I view, 

'Which ready for ail fates, howe"er forlorn, 

Hopes victfry still, and looks on death with sc: 



CANTO X. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 191 

XXXIX. 

So spake Argante, generously keen, 

As one who had no doubtful thought to hide. 

Then rises with authoritative mien 
Orcano, one to loftiest house allied, 

"Who once of some renown in arms had been, 
But since united to a youthful bride, 

And blest with sons, had lost his martial fire 

In the sweet ties of husband and of sire. 

XL. 

This man exclaim'd : " I do not, Sire, accuse 

The heat of this magnificent discourse, 
Since from a courage, which will still refuse 

To stop within the heart, it had its source : 
Hence if the good Circassian's tongue may use 

While speaking truth to thee too much of force, 
Yet he discovers, we must all concede, 
The self same force in every gallant deed. 

XLI. 

" But it is thy part whom a long array 

Of years and of events have made so wise, 

The bit of thy good counsels there to lay 
Where he transgresses in too ardent guise • 

The hope of succour still far off to weigh 
'Gainst peril near us, yea, before our eyes, 

And thy new works, and wall impair' d with a 

Against the enemy's arms and martial rage. 

XLII. 

" We are, if what I think ye deign to hear, 

Within a city strong by art and site ; 
But on the other side are made, 'tis clear, 

Vast engines and contrivances of might. 
I know not what will be • I hope and fear 

The most uncertain issues of the fight : 
And dread that if the siege in stricter mood 
Enclose us, we shall fail at last in food. 

XLIII. 

" Since all the corn and oxen which were pour'd 

Yesterday for thy use within the wall, 
While they but thought of making red the sword 

In yonder camp, and mere good chance 'twas all, 
If the siege last would ill feed with its hoard, 

Small for great want, this ample capital ; 
And the siege needs must last although th' array 
Of Egypt join us on th' intended day. 



102 TORQUATO TASSO. caxto x. 

XLIV. 

'•' But if it fail, what then I Nay, I agree 

That 'twill forestall thy hope and its own word : 

I see not vict'ry therefore, Sire, nor see 

Freedom upon these straiten'd walls conferral. 

The combat with that Godfrey, king, will be, 
And with those chiefs, and that same warlike herd, 

Who've rontecl and dispers'd so oft the Persian, 

Arab, Turk, Syrian, since their first incursion. 

XLV. 

" And what they are. thou who, though brave and true. 

So oft hast giv'n them ground, Argante, know'st ; 
Thou who so oft hast turn'd thy back to view, 

Confiding in thy speedy feet almost. 
Clorinda also knows it, and I too ; 

And these, for none can more than others boast. 
IVor blame I any one, since I believe 
We all did all our valour could achieve. 

XLYI. 

"And I will speak it, though with threats elate 
He talk of death, and hear truth with disdain : 

I see the foe by inevitable fate 
Borne on (I judge from signs that are not vain) : 

Not can embattled wall, nor nation great, 

So stop them that at last they shall not reign. 

Bear witness, Heav'n, I say this from the zeal 

And love for king and country which I feel. 

XIVII. 

" The king of Tripoli could (0, how wise ! ) 

Win from the Christians peace, and realm no less ! 
But the unyielding Soldan either lies 

Xow dead, or servile chains his limbs oppress. 
Or else in exile far he fears or flies, 

Retaining life to feel its last distress ; 
And yet by yielding part he still might hold 
A part preserVd by gifts and annual gold." 

XLvin. 
S j spake he, and his words were made to fall 

Obliquely, and uncertainly to tend ; 
Since to ask peace, and other person call 

Liege lord, he dar'd not plainly recommend. 
But Solyman could scarce restrain his gall, 

And, hidden, hear this language to the end : 
When said the wizard : " Thee then does it please, 
She, to let him use such words as these ? ' : 



canto X. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 193 

XLTX. 

" For my part/' lie replied, " im willingly 

I hide me, and with rage and scorn am stung." 

Instantly, ere his word had well pass'd by, 

The veil of cloud, which had around them hung, 

Parted and clear'd into the open sky ; 

And o'er him the bright light of day was flung, 

And in the midst magnanimous he shone 

With haughty mien, and spake in sudden tone. 

L. 

" I whom ye reason of here present stand, 
Deem not the Soldan ever fears or flies, 

And offer me to prove with this right hand 
That he there is a coward and he lies. 

I who made ample streams of blood expand, 
And on the plain mountains of dead to rise, 

Clos'd in a wall of foes, with none to give 

The slightest aid at last, I fugitive 1 

LI. 

" But if this man, or other like him, dare, 
Unfaithful to his country and his creed, 

Breathe but one word of vile submission e'er, 
I slay him here, good king, if thou'rt agreed. 

The lambs and wolves shall seek one common lair, 
And doves and serpents in one nest shall breed, 

Ere any land receive us and the Franks 

"Without discordant wills between our ranks." 

LII. 

While thus he spake, he held his fierce right hand 

Threat'ningly on the sabre at his side. 
At that harangue, that front with horror scann'd, 

Each one continued mute and stupified. 
Then with less troubled mien, and manner bland, 

He turn'd himself toward the king, and cried : 
" Hope on, high Sire, for succour now is near 
Xot trifling; Solynian is with thee here." 

LIII. 

Aladine, who had tow'rd him ris'n before, 
Eeplied : " how I joy, beloved friend, 

To see thee near me 2 now I feel no more 
My loss in slain, and fear'd a far worse end. 

Thou canst make firm my seat, and soon restore 
Thine own late fall n, if Heav'n shall not forefend." 

Then stretch'd he, when the words had ceas'd to sound, 

His arms toward his heck and clasp'd it round. 

o 



194 rORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO x. 



LIV. 

The greeting o'er, the king concedes the throne 
Of Ms own royalty to the great Nicene : 

Then on the left assumes a seat bestrown 
With gems, and places at his side Ismene. 

And while he parleys with him. and is shown 
The manner of their coming to this scene. 

The lofty maid advances first to meet 

The Solclan ; him, too, then the others greet. 

LV. 

Among the rest Ormnsses also came, 

Who led his Arab troops o'er covert ground, 

And while the battle breath'd its fiercest flame, 
Through unfrequented track so stole around. 

That, night and silence favouring his aim, 
He brought them safe within the city bound, 

And had with grain and plunder' d herds convey'd 

To the' hunger-stricken host effectual aid. 

LVI. 

Amid them sole the proud Circassian stays 

Quite mute there, with a stern disdainful face. 
Like the huge lion when his length he lays, 

And rolls his eyes, yet does not move an ace. 
Orcano tow'rd the Soldan dares not raise 

His eyes, but thoughtful holds them down a sj 
Thus here the tyrant of the Holy Land, 
The Turkish king. and knights 3 in c mncil stand. 

LVI I. 

But Godfrey had pursued o ; er hill and dale 
His vict'ry, and the vanquished, and his way : 

And paid meanwhile the last rites which avail 
His fallen warriors, with devout array ; 

And bade the rest be girded to assail 
The city walls upon the second day : 

And with more ample and terrific face 

Of battle threat th' immur'd barbarian race. 

LVIII. 

And he, now learning that the troop which came 
To aid him 'gainst the infidels erewhile 

Is of his dearest friends, and is the same 

Which follow'd late that guide so full of guile. 

And Tancred with them, who by the false dame 

Armida had been kept in prison vile. 
In presence of the Hermit, and some few 
O' th' wiser, calls them to an interview. 



CANTO X. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 195 

LTX. 

And says to them : " I pray that some one tell 
The course of your short errors now redress'd ; 

And how ye after had the power so well 

To give us aid when we were much distress'd." 

The visage of each blushing warrior fell, 

For trifling fault gnaws bitterly each breast. 

At last the British king's illustrious son, 

Lifting his eyes, brake silence and begun : 

LX. 

M AVe whom the urn had with no lot supplied 

Set out each silently as foot could fall, 
Led, I confess, by Love, that treach'rous guide, 

And listing to a guileful Syren's call ; 
Through strange and crooked paths she made us ride, 

Each jarring with the rest and jealous all. 
Xow words, and glances now, (alas ! too late 
I know it) nourished both our love and hate. 

LXI. 

" At last we reach'd the spot on which of yore 

From Heav'n in ample flakes came down the flame, 

And took revenge for nature outrag'd sore 

On those who were so bold in works of shame. 

That which was kindly fertile land before, 
Xow heated and bituminous waters claim, 

And a dead lake, which, where it twists and wends, 

Compresses the' air, and with its smell offends. 

LXIT. 

" This is the pool on which no weight when thrown 
E'er sinks to the bottom, whatsoe'er its mass, 

But man floats on it, and hard steel, and stone, 
Like fir or other trees of lightest class. 

A castle rests in it, one bridge alone 

Narrow and short admitting aught to pass. 

\Ye enter'd in, nor know I by what art 

Beauty and gladness reign in every part. 

LXIII. 

" The air is soft, sky calm ; the trees and meads 
Are joyous ; the sweet waters brightly gleam ; 

Where mid the loveliest myrtle groves proceeds 
A fountain, and diffuses a small stream : 

A gentle murmur from the leaves and reeds 

Eains on th' enibosoind lawn the quiet dream ; 

Birds sing : I speak not of the marble and gold 

Of which the art and work can scarce be told. 



196 T0RQUATO TASSO. CAXTO X. 

LXIV. 

" Upon the grass where falls the deepest shade, 
And with the sound of limpid waters near, 

A table proud with sculptur'd urns is laid, 

And rich with viands the most choice and dear. 

Whate'er each season yields is here survey' d, 
Whate'er earth gives, or depths of ocean rear, 

Whate'er art teaches : and five score at least 

Of fair and ready damsels serve the feast. 

LXV. 

" She with a sweet speech, and a smile of grace, 
Mix'd for us wicked food with deadly aim, 

}s T ow while each drank there, seated on the dais, 
Lengthen'd oblivion with a lengthen'd name, 

She rose, and saying, ' I soon resnnie my place,' 
Back with a mien less kind and calm she came : 

In one hand mov'd a rod ; a book was shown 

In the' other, and she read in a low tone. 

LXVI. 

" The sorc'ress reads, and I perceive my thought 
And will, my life and frame too, changing slow : 

Strange virtue ! with new pleasure am I fraught, 
I leap into the waves and dive below. 

I know not how each leg within is wrought, 
And how both arms into the body grow ; 

I shorten and contract, and scales began 

To clothe my skin, and I was fish, not man. 

LXYII. 

" Thus also were transmuted all the rest, 
And glided with me in that silver stream. 

As to my state then, I am now impress'd 
As with a foolish, vain, and turbid dream. 

At last she will'd each shape should be redress'd, 
But mid our wonder and our fear supreme 

"We all were mute, when, with a sterner air, 

She thus exclaims, and fills our hearts with care : 

LXVIII. 

" c Behold my pow'r is known to you,' she cries, 
1 And how I hold o'er you imperial sway. 

Hang on my will then ; who resists it, lies 
In prison cut off for ever from the day ; 

Some become birds ; others take root and rise 
Out of earth's breast as tree or flow'ry spray : 

Some melt to founts ; some harden into stone 

On others' front the shaggy hair is strown. 



CANTO X. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 191 

LXIX. 

(U Ye lightly can avoid my sharp disdain 
When it shall please yon to obey my word : 

Be Pagans then, and to support our reign 

'Gainst impious Bouillon let your swords be stirr'd. 

We all refus'd, and shudder' d at the stain 
Of pact so foul : Eambald alone concurr'd. 

We, since defence avail 'd not, in a hole 

Were pinion' d whither daylight never stole. 

LXX. 

" To the same castle Tancred then was train'd 
By chance, and he was made a prisoner too. 

But the false witch held us not long enchain'd ; 
And, if the news which I have heard be true, 

A legate from Damascus' lord obtain'd 

To take with him from the' impious one our crew, 

And led us chain'd and unarm' d in a string 

'Twixt arm'd men as a gift to Egypt's king. 

LXXI. 

" Thus on we went, and as it was decreed 

And niov'd by Him who reigns o'er earth and sky, 

The good Binaldo who with lofty deed, 
And recent, ever lifts his glory on high, 

Haps on us, and assaults the knights who lead 
Our captive troop with wonted chivalry : 

He slays and conquers them, and makes us don 

Those arms of theirs which were at first our own. 

LXXII. 

" I saw him ; so did these, and he applied 

His hand to ours ; we heard his voice resound. 

The rumour which is here so loud has lied ; 
His life is safe, his body whole and sound : 

And this is the third day that with a guide, 
Some pilgrim old, he left us, being bound 

To Antioch ; and the arms which he had worn 

He first put off as being stain'd and torn." 

LXXIII. 

Thus spake he ; and meanwhile the Hermit's eyes 
Are both rais'd up to Heaven for a space : 

His hue and features change : and lo ! there plies 
Round them a sacred light, and holy grace ! 

Full of his God, and rapt with zeal, he hies 
Up to th' angelic minds and takes his place. 

The future opes before him, and sublime 

He penetrates the roll of years and time. 



198 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO X. 

LXXIV. 

And then, with tongue unloos'd, did he attest 

The fate of others in a louder style, 
All turn'd to mark his features, and address'd 

Themselves to hear his thundering voice the while. 
" Einaldo lives," he cries, " and all the rest 

Are arts and falsehoods of a woman's guile : 
He lives and Heav'n reserves his tender days, 
.Xot come to ripeness, for maturer bays. 

LXXV. 

" These are but presages and childish woes 
By which he is now in Asia felt and nam'd. 

Lo ! I see clearly as time onward flows 

The impious Caesar met by him, and tam'd ; 

And both the Church and Eome find sweet repose 
Under the bright wings of his eagle fani'd, 

"Which shall redeem them from the wild beast's claw : 

And worthy sons from him their birth shall draw. 

LXXVI. 

" Sons of such sons, and who from these shall spring, 
A memorable example hence will gain, 

And against rebels and each unjust king 
Learn to defend the mitre and the fane. 

To crush the proud, to raise the suffering, 
Defend the guiltless, quell the impious train, 

Shall be their arts. Thus soaring to the sky 

Beyond the sun shall Este's eagle fly. 

LXXVII. 

" And justly, if it gaze at truth and light, 
'Twill minister to Eeter bolts that kill. 

It must unfold, where'er for Christ men fight, 
Its dauntless and triumphant plumage still : 

Since God assign'd this as its lofty right 
And native custom, by His sov'reign will. 

Hence 'tis ordain'd that it shall be re-led 

To this grand enterprise from which it fled." 

LXXVIII. 

Wise Peter with these words dispels the fear 
For good Einaldo which prevail'd around. 

Godfrey alone amid the plausive cheer 

Continues mute, immers'd in thought profound. 

Meanwhile upsprings the night, and o'er the sphere 
Of earth her ebon-colour'd veil is wound. 

The rest retire and yield their limbs to sleep : 

But o'er his thoughts no slumber yet may creep. 



199 



CANTO XL 

ARGUMENT. 

Down before God the Christian army kneels 
Imploring ; all then to th' assanlt repair. 

The batter' d wall in lofty ruin reels. 
Clorinda gallantly defends it there, 

And wounds the Captain ; whom an angel heals, 
Descending from the skies with med'cine rare. 
% Again he seeks the field and wins the fight ; 

But finds his vict'ries broken off by night. 

I. 
But now the Captain of the Christian race, 

With every thought bent on th' assault so near, 
Was ranging all the war-machines in place, 

When the monk Peter came, and where no ear 
Could catch their converse through the severing space, 

Thus reason' d, venerable and severe : 
" Thou mov'st, Captain, earthly arms ; but thence 
It is not fitting that thou should' st commence. 

ii. 
" Begin from Heav'n itself thine arduous way; 

And first in public solemn pray'rs address 
The host of Angels and of Saints, that they, 

All potent, may implore for us success. 
Let the .priests lead in holy rob'd array, 

And suppliant notes in pious hymns express : 
And let the vulgar learn devotion true 
From their illustrious chiefs, and go with you. 

in. 
So spake to him that rigid saintly guide, 

And the good Bouillon hail'd th' advice as wise. 
" Servant of Christ, I shall rejoice," he cried 

" To follow what thy welcome words advise. 
While then I draw the leaders to my side, 

Find thou the people's Pastors in like guise, 
William and Ademar ; and this divine 
And pious pomp be then their care and thine." 



200 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XI 

IV. 

Xext morn the two grand priests by the' Eremite 

Were with, the other lesser ones inroll'd 
Where they were wont to offer solemn rite 

Within the trench on consecrated mould. 
Here the' others wore habiliments of white, 

And the two Pastors robes encrisp'd with gold, 
Which parting o'er the spotless linen fair 
Clasp'd at the bosom ; and they crown'd their hair. 

v. 
Peter precedes • and to the gales that blow 

Unfurls the sign rever'd in Heav'n's domain ; 
Then comes the choir with solemn step and slow 

Dividing into two its lengthen' d train. 
With suppliant song, and with the face bent low, 

Alternate chanted they a double strain. 
And closing both the ranks which stretch'd afar, 
Came side by side William and Ademar. 

VI. 

Xext follow'd Bouillon, and, as custom bade, 
Being Captain, not a comrade at his side. 

Then came the chiefs in pairs ; and well-array'd 
The camp arm'd for defence was next descried. 

Proceeding thus th' united people made 
Its exit from the trenches : and no pride 

Of trumpet rang, nor other savage tone, 

But notes of love and lowliness alone. 

VII. 

Thee, Father ; Thee, Son, equal to the Sire, 

And Thee who loving breath'st from both united, 

And Thee they' invoke to grant them their desire, 
Mother of God and man, thou Virgin plighted. 

Pow'rs, and you who move the flaming quire 
Of Heav'n in triplicated order dighted, 

Saint, and thee, who washedst at the stream 

The chaste humanity of the brow supreme, 

VIII. 

They' invoke ; and thee, the rock on whom repose 
The Church's firm foundations as a base, 

Where now thy worthy new successor throws 
Wide ope the gates of pardon and. of grace j 

And the' others sent by Jesus to disclose 

]News of his conqu'ring death in every place, 

And those who follow'd to confirm the truth, 

And seal'd it with their blood shed without ruth : 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 201 

IX. 

Those too whose pen or speech were wont to tell 
The long lost path to Heav'n as warning guides, 

And Jesus' faithful handmaid, lov'd so well, 

Who chose that nohlest life where peace abides ; 

And virgins cloister'd in the modest cell, 

Who yield themselves to God as holy brides ; 

And those magnanimous at the rack and stake, 

Whose courage kings and nations could not shake. 

X. 

Thus the meek host with songs, now loud, now low, 
Stretching in ample curves, and length'ning, came, 

And bent tow'rd Olivet its movement slow, 
A mount which from the olive takes it name, 

A mount whose holy fame all nation's know, 

Which rises 'gainst the high walls' eastward aim, 

Cut off from these by the deep vale alone 

Of Joshaphat which 'twixt the two lies prone. 

XI. 

There wends the army with melodious pace, 
And the deep valleys ring with thrilling sound, 

And the high hills, and caverns at their base ; 
And echoes from a thousand points rebound : 

And hidd'n amono: the leaves one seems to trace 
A woodland choir, and in the hollow ground, 

So frequently repeated with acclaim 

Is heard now Christ's, now Mary's mighty name. 

XII. 

Meanwhile the Pagans with amazement strong 
Mark'd as they mutely stood upon the wall 

Those tardy windings, and that humble song, 
Th' unwonted pomps, and rites unknown to all. 

The wretched infidels, when the sight from long 
Observance of it had begun to pall, 

Yell'd loudly ; and with blasphemies and spite 

The torrents roar'd, the vale, and mountain height. 

XIII. 

But yet the people of Jesus never spared 

Continually to chant the holy strain ; 
Xor turn'd they at those cries, nor further cared 

More than for flocks of birds that shriek in vain ; 
Xor, though there fell some arrows, were they scared, 

Since these could not disturb their peaceful train 
From flight so far : hence until all was done, 
They carried on the sacred notes begun. 



202 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XI. 

XIV. 

Then on the summit of the hill they lay 

The altar, with the solemn supper spread ; 
And on both sides bright as the beams of day 

Flames from a lamp of brilliant gold are shed. 
Here William dons a different array 

Enrich'd with gold ; and, thoughtful, bends his head : 
And then proceeds his sounding voice to raise, 
Himself accuses, gives God thanks, and prays. 

xv. 
The foremost round him humbly list'ning stand, 

The furthest fix on him at least their eyes. 
But when he had gone through the myst'ries grand 

Of the pure sacrifice, u Depart," he cries. 
And, lifting up his sacerdotal hand 

In front, he blesses all their companies. 
The pious squadrons now retreating pour 
Along the self-same paths they trod before. 

XVI. 

The trenches being reach'd, and ranks dispers'd, 
Back to his home the pious Godfrey went ; 

And crowds escorted him far as they durst, 
E'en to the very limits of his tent. 

Here turning he dismiss'd the others first, 

But kept with him the leaders, whom he meant 

To grace at table ; and to front him chose 

That seated be the aged Count Toulouse. 

XVII. 

And when the natural wish for food was driven 
Aside and importuning thirst repress'd, 

Said to the chiefs the grand Chief : " When in Heaven 
Day dawns, let all be to th' assault address'd. 

That will be battle's day, and toil's ; be given 
This one to preparation and to rest : 

Go therefore each to his repose, and then 

Prepare himself and all his mailed men." 

XVIII. 

These took their leave, and then the heralds made 
By sound of trumpet proclamation wide, 

That every warrior should be well array'd 

And prompt for arms when dawn was next espied. 

Part of the day was thus in rest outlaid, 
Part was to action and to thought applied, 

Until the calm night friendly to repose 

Once more brought all their labours to a close. 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 203 

XIX. 

The dawn was doubtful yet, and immature 

The birth of day was in the orient still ; 
Nor was the hard plough cleaving yet the moor ; 

Nor was the shepherd come back to the hill ; 
Within the boughs each bird remain'd secure ; 

Xor hound nor horn yet made the woodland thrill ; 
AVhen first the morning trump began to sound 
To arms ; to arms the echoing skies rebound. 

xx. 
To arms ! to arms ! one sound pervades the mass, 

A hundred squadrons taking up the cry. 
Brave Godfrey rises nor his own cuirass 

Takes he, nor will his wonted greaves apply ; 
He dons another, and thus amid may pass 

For soldier of the lightest infantry ; 
And has put on already th' easy load, 
When the good Eaymond reaches his abode. 

XXI. 

Seeing the Chief thus arm'd, he guess'd ere long 
The purpose, which his silence could not veil. 

"Where is," he cried, "thy breastplate heavy and strong, 
And where, Sire, is thine other iron mail ? 

Why thus in part unarm' cl ? Indeed 'tis wrong 
That thou should'st go with a defence so frail. 

^N"ow from these signs in thee I judge thine aim 

Is but to reach a humble goal of fame. 

XXII. 

" What seekest thou ? the private palm bestow'd 
For scaling ramparts 1 These let others mount, 

And lives less great and useful, which are ow'd 
For risks like these, expose to battle's brunt. 

Do thou resume, Sire, thine accustom' d load, 
And of thyself have care on our account. 

Thy life, the soul and safety of our host, 

Be not, Heav'n, for want of caution lost." 

XXIII. 

He ceas'd ; the other answer'd : " Understand 
That when in Claremont the great Urban drew 

This sword around me, and his mighty hand 

Bound me to knighthood's laws devout and true, 

I made a vow to Heav'n, not of the grand 
Conspicuous service from a captain due, 

But to employ here, whensoe'er the hour, 

A private warrior's utmost arms and pow'r. 



204 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XI. 

XXIV. 

" When then I shall have drawn up in array 
The nations all, and mov'd them 'gainst the foe, 

And been enabled fully to defray 

All duties which as Prince supreme I owe, 

'Tis reason, nor wilt thou, I think, gainsay, 
That to assault the walls I also go, 

And keep the promise which to Heav'n I gave : 

Me may that Heav'n in mercy guard and save." 

XXV. 

Thus he concluded, and each Prankish knight 
Folio w'd that mode ; the younger Bouillons too : 

Also the other chiefs in part were dight 
In lesser arms, foot soldiers to the view. 

Meanwhile the Pagans now had mann'd the height 
There where the wall incurv'd itself and drew 

Toward the west from the cold northern wain, 

A site less safe as being on the plain : 

XXVI. 

Since elsewhere may the city safely cast 

All fear aside, and each assault defy. 
Here the bad tyrant has not only amass 'd 

The braver folk and listed infantry, 
But children and old men are call'd at last 

To labour, since their all is on that die : 
And these go carrying for the stouter hearts 
Sulphur, bitumen, lime, and stones, and darts. 

XXVII. 

And with machines and arms they've fill'd before 
All of that wall which on the plain is bas'd : 

And here like a grim giant, keen for gore, 
The Soldan rises upward from the waist ; 

Argante threat'ning there is tow'ring o'er 

The battlements, and may from far be trac'd : 

And on the angular tow'r that woos the sky 

Clorinda shines conspicuously high. 

XXVIII. 

And at her back the quiver, which expands 
With a huge load of pointed shafts, depends. 

She holds the bow already in her hands, 

The arrow is on the cord, the weapon bends : . 

And, keen to strike, the lovely archer stands 
Waiting for whatsoever foe ascends. 

Thus was the Delian virgin deem'd of old 

To shoot from where the loftier clouds were roll'd. 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 205 

XXIX. 

Down lower on foot the greyhair'd monarch, plies 
From gate to gate, and what npon the wall 

He first had order'd, scans with cautions eyes, 
And cheers and comforts the defenders all : 

This part with troops he strengthens, there supplies 
More arms, and cares for aught that may befall. 

But the afflicted matrons seek the fane 

To' implore their false and impious God again : 

XXX. 

" Break the Frank robber's spear, Lord, and maim 
His weapons with thy hand so just and great ; 

And him who thus has scorn'd thy mighty name 
Beat down and scatter under the tall gate." 

Thus spake they • and Hell heard not their acclaim 
Among the cries of misery and hate. 

Now while the city thus prepares and prays, 

His host and arms the pious Chief displays. 

XXXI. 

Forth from the camp his infantry in detail 
With caution and the finest art he brings ; 

And 'gainst the wall he wishes to assail 

Obliquely parts them into two broad wings : 

Midmost he puts his instruments of bale, 
Horrid balistse and gigantic slings, 

From which against th' embattled heights are thrown 

Like thunderbolts the lance now, now the stone. 

XXXII. 

And as a guard he puts the horse i' the rear 

Of the' infantry, and sends the scouts around : 
Then gives the battle signal loud and clear ; 

And the' archers and the slingers so abound, 
Such arms, too, fly from his mechanic gear, 

That on the ramparts thinner ranks are found. 
Some lie there slain, and others hurry down : 
Already has the wall a scantier crown. 

xxx ni. 
The Frankish nation rushes o'er the field 

With the most rapid and impetuous tread : 
Part of them join together shield to shield, 

And make with these a cov'ring for the head; 
Part under the machines remain conceal'd, 

Thus shelter' d from the hail of stones so dread, 
And when the fosse is reach' d, with heap on heap 
They labour to fill up the void and deep. 



206 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XI. 

XXXIV. 

The fosse was not of marshy mud compos'd, 

(The site forbade) nor there did water flow ; 
And hence though broad and deep 'twas quickly clos'd 

By stones, trees, clods, whate'er the hand can throw. 
Meanwhile the rash Alcasto first expos'd 

His head, and rais'd a ladder from below ; 
Nor stony hail, nor rain of heated pitch, 
Restrain'd him, and he fix'd it o'er the ditch. 

xxxv. 
The Swiss, upmounting, and defying fate, 

Has finish' d half of his aerial way, 
A mark for myriad darts, which ne'er abate 

His efforts nor can make his footsteps stay ; 
When a stone, round, and of enormous weight, 

Swift as if huge bombard had made it play, 
Strikes on his helm, and hurls him down below : 
And the Circassian 'twas who had launch'd the blow. 

xxxvi. 
Not mortal, but so grave the stroke and fall, ■ 

That stunn'd he lies, and not a limb can rear. 
Argante then, with loud and savage call : 

" The first is fall'n, who second will appear % 
Why not come openly to' assail the wall, 

Ye skulking warriors, since I hide not here ? 
Nought shall avail your strangely cover' d pens ; 
But ye shall die there like wild beasts in dens." 

XXXVII. 

He spake, yet for his speaking those conceal'd 
Cease not the more, nor those in bristling bower, 

But join'd and crowded, each beneath his shield, 
Sustain the shafts and weights from wall and tower. 

Already to the wall the ram has wheel'd 

Its huge machines and beams of sumless power, 

Whose ram-like head is arm'd with iron plates, 

And butting terrifies the walls and gates. 

XXXVIII. 

Meanwhile a hundred hands with all then nii°Iit 

o 

Eoll a huge mass prepar'd aloft before, 
Which where the tortoise is most dense and tight 

Falls down and seems a mountain toppling o'er : 
And th' union of the shields being sever'd quite, 

It breaks of helmets and of skulls a store ; 
And all the ground about the spot remains 
Scatter'd and red with arms, blood, bones, and brains. 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 207 

XXXIX. 

No longer now do the assailants keep 
Behind the shelter of each tall machine, 

But to the open risk abroad they sweep 

From perils blind, and make their valour seen. 

Some fix the ladders, and climb np the steep, 
Some batter the foundation, rivals keen ; 

The wall rocks, and its sides in ruin crack, 

Now wearied by the Franks' renew'd attack : 

XL. 

And would have fallen at the horrid blows 

Bedoubled by the ram which swung from far ; 

But from the battlements the enemy shows 
A brave defence with all the arts of war ; 

And lets down bales of wool to interpose 

Where'er the mighty beam is stretch'd to jar • 

The soft and pliant bulk receives the blow 

Upon itself, and makes it weak and slow. 

XLI. 

While in the mural combat foe with foe 

Had fought with gallantry that knew no dread, 

Seven times Clorinda bent her fatal bow, 

And sev'n times loos'd it, and a shaft was sped ; 

And all the arrows which flew down below 
Bedy'd their steel and feathers with the red, 

Not of base blood, but such as princes claim ; 

That proud one scorning an ignoble aim. 

XLII. 

The first knight whom she wounded was the heir 
And youthful scion of the English king. 

Scarce had he drawn his head from shelter'd lair, 
When sprang the fatal arrow from the string, 

Nor did an iron gauntlet make it spare 

His right hand, but through all it drove its sting : 

So that disabled he must needs retire 

Gnashing his teeth, but less from pain than ire. 

XLIII. 

The Count d'Amboise upon the fosse's side, 
And on the ladder then Clothaire the Frank, 

The first transfixed from breast to shoulder died, 

And this pierc'd through from one to the' other flank. 

And while the Flemish lord his strength applied 
To push the ram forth, in his left arm sank 

A shaft which slack'd his pace ; and he design' d 

To drag it forth, but left the steel behind. 



208 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XI. 



XLIV. 

While Ademar incautious turn'd to view 
Far off the savage fight, the fatal cane 

Arriving straight against his forehead flew : 
He stretch'd his right hand to the trifling pain, 

When lo ! there came a second shaft anew 
Upon his hand and pinn'd it to the brain ; 

On which he fell, and of his sacred blood 

Pour'd o'er those woman's arms an ample flood. 

XLV. 

While Palamede, who scorning all retreat, 

Had nigh the summit rear'd his dauntless head, 

Was guiding up the lofty steps his feet, 

Tow'rd his right brow the seventh arrow sped, 

And traversing quite through the hollow seat 
And nerves of the' eye, came out behind all red 

E'en through the nape : he toppled o'er and died 

Beneath the rock which he had thus defied. 

XL VI. 

So shot she. Godfrey with redoubled might 
Renews his fierce assault in the mean time. 

Beside a gateway he has plac'd aright 

Of all his huge machines the most sublime. 

This is a tow'r of wood whose emulous height 
Attains to that to which the ramparts climb, 

A tow'r which charg'd with men, and arm'd with steel, 

Comes dragg'd along upon the creaking wheel. 

XLVII. 

The rolling mass comes hurling from afar 

Lances and shafts, and nearer now doth glide, 

And strives, as ship with ship is wont in war, 
To reach th' opposing walls and become tied. 

But he who guards them and th' attempt would mar, 
Thrusts at its front, and at its either side, 

And backward pushes it with spears, and smites 

With stones the wheels now, now th' embattled heights. 

XLVIII. 

From this side and from that the dart and stone 
So flew that Heav'n was darken'd by the mass : 

There strove two clouds in air, and weapons thrown 
Fell back to whence they had essay'd to pass. 

As, hurtled from their branch, the leaves are strown 
By raindrops harden' d into icy glass, 

And e'en the fruit though yet uuripen'd falls ; 

So fell the Saracens from off the walls • 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 209 

XLIX. 

Since the harm lights on them with keener spite 
Because in less of steel their limbs they fold. 

Part of the living also take to flight, 

Astounded at the thund'ring mass uproll'd. 

But he who once was dice's tyrant hight 

Bemains, and keeps the few there who are bold : 

And fierce Argante in that perilous hour, 

Snatching a beam, runs to oppose the tow'r, 

L. 

And thrusts and keeps it back far as avail 

His arms for strength, and the huge pine is long. 

The sov'reign virgin also arm'd in mail 

Descends to share the perils with that throng. 

The Franks meanwhile cut from the jDendent bale 
Its each sustaining cord off, and each thong, 

With lengthen'd scythes \ and hence, these falling down, 

The wall is left expos'd to battle's frown. 

LI. 

And thus the tow'r above, and ram below, 
Beat it with blows as swift as they are vast ; 

Whence pierc'd and broken it begins to show 
The secret and internal ways at last. 

The Captain wends, nor has he far to go, 

]S"ear to the tremulous wall now crumbling fast, 

Enclos'd completely in his larger shield 

'With which he seldom wont to take the field, 

LII. 

And cautiously directing hence his sight, 

Marks Solyman come down toward the plain, 

And place him at the perilous pass aright 
To guard the ruins of the mural chain : 

And still Clorinda and th' Egyptian knight, 
To fend the higher road, aloft remain. 

Thus gaz'd he and already felt his breast 

All glowing with a new and gen'rous zest. 

LIII. 

'Whence turning said he to the good Sigier, 
TVTio bar& his bow for him and other shield : 

" faithful squire of mine, give to me here 
This load so much less troublesome to wield ; 

For I shall try to mount without a peer 

Yon doubtful pass, by ruins well nigh seal'd : 

And from our valour time it is indeed 

That some illustrious action should proceed.'' 



210 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XI. 

LIV. 

His shield being chang'd, these accents yet were new, 
When tow'rd him in its flight an arrow came, 

And on his leg alighting pierc'd it throngh 
Amid the nerves most ready to inflame. 

Men said, Clorinda, 'twas thy hand that drew 
Th' unerring bow, and thine is all the fame : 

If this day still thy Pagan race be free 

From chains or death, it owes the boon to thee. 

LV. 

But the most gallant Chief, as though no pain 
Resulted from a wound whence death impends, 

Slacks not his foot from its career amain, 

But mounts the ruins, and invites his friends. 

Yet soon perceives he that he tasks in vain 
The limb now render'd useless for such ends, 

And that he more inflames it by this course ; 

And hence at last he quits th' assault perforce. 

LVI. 

And calling Guelph to him with beck of hand, 
He saith to him : " I go away forespent ; 

Do thou meantime assume the chief command, 
To fill the void I leave while at my tent. 

By one brief hour my absence will be spann'd ; 
I hasten, and return." This said, he went ; 

And could not, though he mounted palfrey light, 

Pass to the rampart and escape all sight. 

LVII. 

The Captain thus departing, there departs 
The Frankish fortune too, and cedes the field. 

More vigor has the foe, his hope upstarts 
Afresh, and more his valour is reveal'cl. 

That reckless courage in the Faithful hearts 
Engender' d by success begins to yield : 

Each sword already is more slow to wound, 

And e'en the trumpets give a languid sound. 

LVIII. 

And 'twixt the battlements soon re-appears 
The crowd who had been scatter'd in despair. 

And marking where that gallant virgin rears 
Her form, true patriot zeal arms all the fair. 

Behold them run and mount on guard with spear, 
With gown succinct and loosely scatter'd hair, 
1 And launch the jav'lin, and no longer dread 

To' expose for the lov'd walls the breast and head. 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 211 

LIX. 

And that which fills the Franks with more of dread 
And lessens it in those who man the height, 

Is that the pow'rfol Guelph falls as one dead. 
And this occurs in either people's sight. 

To him mid thousands is his fortune sped, 
And a stone finds him after lengthen'd flight. 

At the same time a missile from the walls 

Hits Kaymond likewise, and he also falls. 

LX. 

And Eustace, bent on winning glory's goal, 
Was roughly pierc'd then on the fosse's hank. 

Nor did the foe strike one blow of the whole 
In that sad hour so luckless to the Frank 

(Though many struck) which did not from the soul 
Disjoin some body, or which fell quite blank. 

And the Circassian, eager to rejoice 

And fierce in such success, uplifts his voice : 

LXI. 

" This is not Antioch, nor is this night 

Which Christian frauds have often found their friend, 
Ye see the people astir, the sun's own light, 

Another form of war, and other end. 
Is then your zeal for honor now so slight, 

And booty, that so soon ye cease to bend 
Your footsteps hither, and weary turn again 
From brief assault, Frankish maids, not men *? " 

LXII. 

Thus reasons he and makes his fury swell 

To such a torrent by that wordy fray, 
That the broad city which he guards so well 

Seems field too narrow for his might's display : 
And forth he bounds to where the huge wall fell, 

And where its fissure leaves an open way \ 
And fills the gap up, and meantime he cries 
To Solyman, whom near him he espies : 

., LXIII. 
" Lo, Solyman, the place, and lo the hour 

Which on our valour shall at last decide. 
Why yield % What fear'st thou % Let in yonder stour 

To him who woos it most, the palm betide." 
Thus spake he, and then each one from the tow'r 

Went forth precipitate with emulous stride, 
One lash'd by rage, and one by honor driven, 
And stung by the fierce invitation given. 



212 T0RQUAT0 TASSO. CANTO XI. 

LXIV. 

Unlook'd for on th' opposing ranks they flew, 
And all their rivalry was here reveal'd : 

And such a vast amount of men they slew, 

And scatter' d were so many a helm and shield, 

And ladders broken, and machines cut through, 
That these seem'd like a mountain on the field ; 

And, mingled in one mighty ruin, pil'd 

Another wall for that which had been spoil'd. 

LXV. 

They who before were hot aspirants all 

For mural crowns, and filTd with martial fire, 

I^ot only wish not now to pass the wall, 
But e'en from self-defence seem to retire ; 

And yield to the fresh onslaught, and let fall 
The tow'rs a prey to the two warriors' ire, 

Tow'rs which in other war can ne'er be us'd, 

With such a fury are they strick'n and bruis'd. 

LXVI. 

Eush the two Pagans in that hot debate 

Further and further on with all their pow'r ; 

Call to the citizens for fire, and straight 
Carry two flaming pines toward the tow'r. 

Such wont to issue from Tartarean gate 
And overturn the world in evil hour, 

The ministers of Pluto, sisters dire, 

Shaking their snaky locks and torch of fire. 

LXVII. 

But now th' unconquer'd Tancred who elsewhere 

Cheers to th' assault the troops whom he commands 

Soon as he sees th' incredible efforts there, 
The double flame, and two great piny brands, 

Breaks off his words that he may quick repair 
To curb the fury of the Paynim bands : 

And proves his valour in such dreadful guise 

That he who won and chas'd, now losing flies. 

LXVIII. 

Thus in this quarter was the battle plied 

As varying fortune varied the event. 
Meanwhile the wounded Chief contrives to ride 

Far as the trench, and gains his ample tent, 
With good Sigier, with Baldwin at his side, 

And a thick crowd of friends together blent. 
He strives with too much haste, or little craft, 
To draw the arrow forth, and breaks the shaft, 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 213 

LXIX. 

And bids that the most nigh and speedy way 
To work a cure upon him shall be ta'en ; 

That in the hollow wound the steel shall play, 
And largely carve the flesh, and cut the vein. 

" Eestore me to the war, so that with day 
It close not ere I seek my post again.' ' 

He speaks and offers, as he grasps the ash 

Of a huge lance, the hurt limb to the gash. 

LXX. 

And ancient Erotimus, born where flows 

The Padine stream, now comes to tend the wound • 

He of each herb and noble water knows 
The virtues, and what use in each is found. 

Dear to the Muses also, but he chose 

The lesser glory of arts which make no sound : 

To save from death frail bodies was his aim ; 

Yet could he make immortal too a name. 

LXXI. 

The Chieftain, firmly plac'd and self-possess' d, 
Eebukes the plaint of his attendant band. 

The leech in robe succinct and with the vest 
Unfolded from his arm, all light and bland, 

Now tries in vain with potent herbs to wrest 
The barb away, and now with skilful hand ; 

Attempts it with the fingers, and has brought 

The grasping steel to aid, yet prospers nought. 

LXXII. 

Fortune in no way seconds his great art, 
And never seems to smile on his intent. 

And now the wounded hero feels the smart 
So dreadful that his life is well nigh spent. 

But here his guardian angel, mov'd at heart 
By his unmerited pain, from Ida rent 

Some dittany, an herb with purple flower 

Which has in its young leaves a lofty power. 

LXXIII. 

And Nature well instructs the mountain goat 
In all the virtue which is thus conceal' d, 

"Whene'er 'tis struck and in its shaggy coat 

There stays affix'd the missile wing'd and steel'd. 

This has the angel brought, though far remote 
Its dwelling, ere a moment's time has wheel'd, 

And mid the healing waters, prompt for use 

As soothing lotions, pours unseen the juice ; 



214 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XI. 

LXXIV. 

And liquids ciiH'd where Lydian fount a ins now, 

And odorous all-lieal. there he mingles too. 
The old man sprinkles then the worm :1. and lo ! 

The barb of its own self conies forth to view, 
The bleeding is self-stauneh'd. and the sharp woe 

Xow quits the leg. and strength returns anew. 
Then Erotinius cries : ~ So master art. 
ZSTor this my mortal hand, lias cur'd thy smart. 

LXXV. 

- A higher pow'r has wrought : a spirit, for thee 
Become physician, has fled down from far ; 

For marks of a celestial hand I see. 

Take arms, why loiter '( and return to war/' 

Greedy for battle. Godfrey wraps his knee 
In purple to secure it from all jar. 

And brandishes his mighty lance, and grasps 

His shield thrown down there, and Ms helm he clasps, 

LXXVI. 

He issues from the trench, and tow'rd the wall. 

"Where shaken, turns, with thousands in his train. 
Heav'n o 7 er them darken" d with a dusty pall, 

Earth under trembled as they struck the plain : 
The foes pereeiv'd him from their station tall 

Approach from far, and froz'n was every vein. 
And a cold tremor ran through every bone : 
He thrice uprais'd to Heav'n his martial tone. 

LXXVII. 

His people know that haughty voice, that cry, 
Which has so often cheer' d them to the fight ; 

And now resuming the attack, they hie 

Once more to battle where 'tis at its height. 

The Pagan pah. though all untaught to fly. 

Have drawn into the breach, with all then might 

Defending, obstinate, the cloven pass 

From Tancred and his followers' serried mass. 

LXXVIII. 

Disdainful all. and threat'ning. to this post 
Came wrapt in arms the General of France, 

And singling fierce Argante from the host 
HuiTd at him first his thund'ring iron lance. 

Xo mural instrument of war could boast 

To make its bolt with more of force advance. 

Along the air thunder' d the knottv spear : 

Argante rais'd his shield, and knew no fear. 



CANTO XI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 215 

LXXIX. 

Quite through the shield the piercing weapon pass'd. 

Not could the hard cuirass its force sustain ; 
For it burst through all fences, and at last 

It drank the Saracen blood, and show'd the stain. 
But the Circassian pluck' d it, though fix'd fast, 

Out of his arm and veins, nor felt the pain ; 
And hurl'd it at the Chief, saying : " TThat thou'st thrown 
I send thee back; from me receive thine own." 

LXXX. 

Xow on attack, and now on vengeance bent, 

The spear through the known path flew and re-flew ; 

But yet it struck not him 'gainst whom 'twas sent, 
"Who stoop'd, and from the stroke his head withdrew. 

It caught the good Sigier whose throat was rent 
And by the' obdurate iron cloven through. ; 

Kor did he quit the realms of light with grief, 

Thus dying for his own beloved Chief. 

LXXXI. 

Just then, too, was the Xorman knight struck sore 
By a huge rock hurl'd from the Soldan's hand ; 

He twisted at the blow, trembled all o'er, 
And like a wheeling top fell on the sand. 

Then Godfrey could restrain his rage no more 
At these affronts so great, and grasp'd his brand • 

And on the pile of ruins mounted high, 

And thenceforth carried on the war from nigh. 

LXXXII. 

And wondrous things he would have there display' d, 
And deadly strifes the muse had had to sing ; 

But night came forth and all the wide world laid 
Beneath the gloomy horrors of her wing, 

And slowly interpos'd her peaceful shade 

Mid wretched mortals whom such passions sting. 

So Godfrey ceas'd and call'd his host away, 

And thus was clos'd the sanguinary day. 

LXXXIII. 

But ere the pious Bouillon quat the ground 
He had the sick and faint borne off with care ; 

Xor left the wreck of his machines around 
A booty for his enemies to share. 

But safe, so happ'd it, the grand tow'r was found 
\Yhich struck the enemy with such despair : 

Though in some places its gigantic form 

\Yas torn and batter'd by the horrid storm. 



216 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XI 

LXXXIV. 

Forward it came, escap'd from perilous plight, 

Arriving at a place secure at last. 
But as a ship which takes full sail its night 

Over the billowy sea and scorns the "blast, 
Then on the sands, when port is just in sight, 

Or on the treach'rous rocks, is rudely cast ; 
Or as a courser passes the rough road, 
And trips and falls when near his sweet abode : 

LXXXV. 

Thus fell the tow'r, and thus upon that side 

Which had sustain' d the blows of stone and spear, 

Broke two weak wheels, so that unfit to glide 
It ceas'd to move, all rain'd in its gear : 

But they who led it all their force applied 
To underprop it, and stood with it here 

Until the ready smiths should come around, 

And cure the damage of its every wound. 

LXXXVL 

Thus Godfrey order'd who desir'd its aid 

Ere the new sun should mount the Eastern steep : 

And, occupying every path, he laid 

Bis guards in order round the soaring heap, 

But to the city soon there was convey' d 
The sound of iron tools and voices deep, 

And myriad torches near were seen to shine, 

Whence all that happ'd they knew, or could divine. 



217 



CANTO XII. 

ARGUMENT. 

Whence, where, and when, she first had op'd her eyes 
Clorinda hears now from her guardian squire : 

Then secretly with fierce Argante hies 
Toward the foe and sets the tow'r on fire. 

At last with Tancred combating, she dies ; 
But e'en in death new life does she respire, 

The life from baptism ; and he meanwhile 

Fills with his sighs the air, with tears the soil. 

I. 
'Tis night, and neither people yet has ta'en 

Eefreshing sleep, though both with toil distress'd : 
But here the Franks awake on guard remain, 

Bent on mechanic labour without rest ; 
And there the Pagans render strong again 

Their every fence, where tottering and depress'd, 
And the rent wall they busily repair : 
And of the wounded there is common care. 

II. 
The wounds were tended now, and of the roll 

Of nightly labours some had reach'd their close, 
And others slacken'd as the shadows stole 

More dark and still, inviting to repose. 
Yet had the daring maid not calm'd her soul 

Still thirsty for the prize which fame bestows. 
Where others ceas'd from toil, fresh toil she sought, 
And, with Argante at her side, thus thought : 

in. 
" The Soldan and Argante both have shown 

To-day such feats as eye had never seen, 
Who sallied forth mid countless hosts alone 

And batter'd down each Christian war-machine : 
While I, and this is all the praise I own, 

Us'd distant arms aloft behind a screen, 
An archer not unhappy I confess. 
Must this then be a woman's whole success 1 



218 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XII. 



IV. 

" Ah ! better far 'twere to wing shaft and spear 

At the wild beasts in forest or in dell, 
Than show myself to be a maiden here 

Where valonr shines, and cavaliers excel ! 
Why do I not resume my woman's gear, 

Tor me most meet, and shut me up in cell 1 " 
Such are her thoughts ; she ponders, and she burns 
With grand resolve, and to the warrior turns : 

v. 
" Long time, Sire, has my mind felt strange desires 

And restless impulses which make it yearn 
For height of daring ; these or God inspires, 

Or we in our own will a God discern. 
Behold, outside the hostile trench, yon fires : 

Thither I go with steel and torch to burn 
The tow'r there. Thus much would I fain achieve ; 
The rest to Heav'n's good Providence I leave. 

VI. 

" But if it hap that fate shall interfere 
With my return from a disastrous quest, 

To thee do I confide my maidens dear, 
And him who loves me with paternal zest. 

Do thou to Egypt pass them o'er, and cheer 
The weary old man and the dames distress' d. 

Do it for love of Heav'n, Sire, for their age 

And sex alike thy pity should engage." 

VII. 

Argante was struck dumb, and felt the spur 
Of glory pricking in his bosom proud. 

" Shalt thou go thither, then, and leave me here," 
He cried, " neglected mid the vulgar crowd ? 

And from a part secure shall I prefer 

To watch the burning spark and smoky cloud ? 

No, no ; if erst in arms thy comrade true, 

So will I be in glory and death too. 

VIII. 

" I too, like thee, can spurn at death, and bliss 
I also deem it to spend life for fame." 

" That gen'rous sally of thine," she said, " must this 
To all the world eternally proclaim. 

Me, a mere maid, the city would not miss 
In its distress, whene'er my last hour came ; 

But if, Heaven forbid it ! thou should' st fall, 

Who will survive then to defend the wall ?" 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 219 

IX. 

The knight responded : " Vainly dost thou plead 

A false excuse against my settled will : 
Thy footsteps will I follow if thou lead, 

But if refus'd, I will precede them still." 
They sought the king then, being thus agreed, 

Who welcom'd them mid peers of worth and skill : 
Clorinda then began : " Hear what, Sire, 
We wish to tell, and grant us our desire. 

x. 
" Argante, and the vaunt will not be vain, 

Here undertakes to burn yon tall machine. 
I shall be with him : and we but refrain 

Till weariness bring slumber more serene." 
The monarch rais'd his hands, and joyful rain 

Descending on his furrow' d cheek was seen : 
And, "Prais'd be Thou," he cries, " who still hast shown 
Thy servants grace, and still preserv'st my throne. 

XI. 

" Nor will it fall for many long long days 
If souls thus brave in its defence are found. 

But what can I bestow of gift or praise 
To equal your deserts, pair renown'd % 

Let fame applaud you in immortal lays, 

And fill the wide world with its echoing sound : 

The work is its own meed, yet add beside 

No trifling portion of my kingdom wide." 

XII. 

This said, the hoary king hasted to strain 
Now this, now that one, in embraces kind. 

The Soldan who was by, nor strove to rein 
The generous rivalry which fill'd his mind, 

Exclahn'd : " This sword, too, is not girt in vain ; 
It shall be with you, or not far behind." 

" Ah !" said Clorinda, " shall we all essay 

This one emprise ] If thou go'st, who will stay V 1 

XIII. 

Thus spake she to him, and refusal proud 
Argante would have given with angry mien ; 

But here the king, utt'ring these words aloud 
And kindly to the Soldan, stept between : 

" warrior grand, thy deeds have still avow'd 
Thee equal to thyself, wherever seen ; 

Whom front of peril .has not e'er inspir'd 

With terror, nor has battle ever tir'd. 



3 - TORQUATO TABBC IO m 

XIV. 

" I know that issuing forth thou would'st display 
Deeds worthy thee : yet 'twere unwisely shared 

That all should go, nor one within should stay 
Of you with whom none else can be compar'cL 

Xor would I suffer these to take their way, 
For well their blood is worthy to be spa/d, 

Were such a work less useful, or I thought 

That by another force it could be wrought. 

XT. 

" But since such numbers near the lofty toVr 
On every side of it keep guard complete, 

That of a few they will defy the pow'r, 
And to go forth with many is unmeet ; 

E'en let the pair who seek this perilous hour, 
And often with such risks have dar'd compete, 

G-o forth and prosper, for their worth is such 

That that of thousands does not sum so much. 

XVI. 

" Do thou, as to thy kingly rank is due, 

Beside the portals with the rest :::id, 
And when, as I hope firmly, thou shalt view 

These back return, and the red names ascend, 
If the opposing squadron shall pursue, 

Repel it, and them rescue and defend-" 
Thus spake the one king, and the other stood 
Calm'd by his words, yet in no joyful mood. 

xvn. 
Ismene then added : "Ye who thus will go, 

I pray you let one short hour intervene, 
Until I shall compound a ball bek w 

To fasten on and burn the huge machine. 
Perchance too then some portion of the foe 

Who guard it may repose in sleep serene," 
This was agreed : and in his own retreat 
Ea sh waits the fitting hour for the grand feat. 

z ~:n. 
Clorinda laid aside her robes inwrought 

With silver, her rich mail, and glitt'ring crest, 
And put on others not adorn'd in aught, 

Busty and black, sad omen and unble- 
Because when she was thus disguis'd she thought 

She could approach the hostile squadron best. 
Arsetes was at hand, eunuch of worth, 
Who had nurs'd her from her cradle and her birth ; 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 221 

XIX. 

And, dragging after her by day and night 

His aged limbs, he follow'd now behind. 
He saw the arms exchanged, and guess'd aright 

The grand risk of the work which she design' d ; 
And sorely griev'd \ and by his hair grown white 

In serving her, and by the memory kind 
Of all his duties, earnestly he pray'd 
That she would quit th' attempt ; nor mov'd the maid. 

xx. 
At last he said : " Since then in its own ill 

Thy froward mind so hardens that no more 
My wearied years, nor my affectionate will, 

Nor pray'rs can move it, nor the tears I pour, 
I further will explain, and give thee skill 

Of things of thine which were obscure before : 
Then follow my advice, or thy desire." 
As he went on, her brows were lifted higher. 

XXI. 

" There reign'd o'er Ethiopia, and may reign 
E'en now, Senapus with a prosperous sway, 

Who keeps the laws of Him in Jewry slain, 
And his black people follow the same way. 

A Pagan slave there I, and mid the train 
Of maids a feminine part had I to play. 

For I was minister to the royal bride, 

To whom, though dusky, charms were not denied. 

XXII. 

" Her husband doats on her, so that love's flame 
And the' ice of jealousy in him are even. 

By small degrees with still advancing aim 
His foolish zeal to such a height is driven, 

That now from all men he would shut the dame ; 
Would hide her from so many eyes of Heaven. 

She, sage and meek, regards as her reward 

And pleasure all tilings which can please her lord. 

XXIII. 

" Her room was painted with a piteous tale 
Of two religious figures, much renown'd. 

A virgin, with complexion finely pale 

And vermeil cheek, is near a dragon bound : 

A knight with lance has pierc'd the monster's mail ; 
The beast in its own blood lies on the ground. 

Here frequently she kneels, and open lays 

Her silent trespasses, and weeps and prays. 



222 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO xn. 

XXIV. 

" Pregnant meanwhile, when the due time has pass'd 
She bears a babe, 'twas thou, extremely fair. 

Disturb'd, and at th' unwonted hues aghast, 
She feels as though a miracle were there. 

But knowing the king's furious mood, at last 
Eesolves to hide the birth from him with care ; 

Since from thy spotless white he would infer 

A faith that was not without spot in her. 

XXV. 

" A black child was just born, as it befell, 

And this she thinks to show him 'stead of thee. 

And since the tow'r which was her prisoning cell 
Was dwelt in only by her maids and me, 

She gives me, who had serv'd and lov'd her well, 
Thy tender form though unbaptiz'd thou be. 

Nor could she give thee baptism at the time, 

Such was the usage of that southern clime. 

XXVI. 

" She held thee forth to me with weeping eyes, 
And bade me rear thee in a distant place. 

Who can describe her grief, and in what guise 
She sobb'd and linger'd o'er the last embrace 1 

She bath'd thy cheeks with tears, and her deep sighs 
And passionate complaints held equal pace. 

At last she rais'd her eyes, and said : ' Thou, 

All-seeing, who art in my heart e'en now ; 

XXVII. 

" ' If pure this heart, and if my members rest 
Intact yet, and my bed no stain defile, 

I pray not for myself, who have confess'd 

A thousand faults, and in Thy sight am vile : 

save the innocent babe whose mother's breast 
Denies it milk, and let it live long while 

Eesembling me in chastity alone ; 

Elsewhere th' example of its fate be shown. 

XXVIII. 

" ' Thou, heav'nly warrior, who redeem'dst the maid 
From that tremendous reptile's impious bite, 

If on thine altar I have ever laid 

Gold or sweet incense or the taper's light, 

Pray for her so that to thy saving aid, 

Thine handmaid, she may haste in every plight.' 

She ceas'd; her heart grew faint and stopt its race, 

And pallid death was painted on her face. 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 223 

XXIX. 

" With tears I took thee and in pannier small 

Convey'd thee forth conceal' d in leaves and flow'rs. 

I hid thee, and let no suspicion fall 

On anght e'en in my most unguarded hours. 

Unknown I went, and through the forest tall 
Proceeding mid the dark o'ershading bow'rs, 

I saw a tiger coming tow'rd me straight 

"With anger in its eyes and threatful hate. 

XXX. 

" I leapt into a tree, and on the ground 
Abandon'd thee, so sudden was my dread. 

The horrid beast arriv'd, and turning round 
Its haughty front, to thee its looks were sped. 

Subdued and soften'd quite, no more it frown'd, 
And in its gestures peace and love were read. 

Then slowly it drew near, and with its tongue 

Caress'd thee ; and thou smil'dst, and up were flung 

XXXI. 

" Thine arms to clasp it ; and thy tiny hand 

About the savage jaw securely play'd. 
It offer'd thee the teat with gesture bland 

As nurses use ; thou took'st the profTer'd aid. 
Meanwhile did I look on, as one who scann'd 

New frightful marvels, timid and dismay'd. 
When the beast saw thee with the milky food 
Full sated, it withdrew and sought the wood. 

XXXII. 

" And then descending I resum'd my load, 

And turn'd to whither first my steps were steer'd ; 

And in a village taking my abode, 

There had thee in complete seclusion rear'd. 

I stay'd there till the sun so largely strode 

Along his orb that sixteen months were clear' d. 

Thou with thy tongue still milky could'st repeat 

But stamm'ring sounds, and totter on thy feet. 

XXXIII. 

" But since at last my years, no longer green, 
Were verging tow'rd old age in their descent, 

Rich and contented with what gold the queen 
So royally gave me when from her I went, 

I long'd to bring me from that foreign scene 

And wand'ring life to where my youth was spent ; 

To live in the dear spot mid friends of old, 

And temper at my own hearth winter's cold. 



224 TORQUATO TASSO. canto xn. 

XXXIV. 

" I started and tow'rd Egypt whence I sprang, 
Taking thee with me, I pursued my way ; 

And near a torrent heard a robbers' clang 
On this side, while on that the river lay. 

What should I do ? 'Twould cost a bitter pang 
To leave thee, and I wish'd to 'scape away. 

I plung'd into the stream ; one hand was free 

To smite the wave, the other held up thee. 

XXXV. 

"The stream is rapid, and with eddying sweep 
In the mid-tide the rolling waters flow ; 

Arriv'd where these are whirling most and deep, 
They spin me round and drag me down below. 

I loose thee then ; but still the waters keep 
Thy limbs afloat, and fav'ring breezes blow ; 

And leave thee safe on the soft sand upcast. 

I, tir'd and panting, join thee there at last. 

XXXVI. 

" I take thee up with rapture, and at night, 
When all things in deep silence had been laid, 

I saw the vision of a threat'ning knight 

Who plac'd upon my brows his naked blade. 

' I bid thee,' said the dark imperious sprite, 
' Do that which at the first its mother bade : 

Baptize the infant ; for it is the joy 

Of Heav'n, and care of it is my employ : 

XXXVII. 

" i I guard it still ■ I made the beasts display 
Such tenderness, and gave the waves their lore. 

Woe to thee if this dream thou disobey 

Which is Heav'n's message ;' and it said no more, 

I woke and rose, and when the earliest ray 
Was born in heav'n, went onward as before. 

But deeming my faith true, and the dream vain, 

I thought not of thy baptism again, 

XXXVIII. 

" 2Tor of thy mother's pray'rs • hence thou wert rear'd 
A Pagan ; and the truth did I withhold. 

Thou grew'st, and soon thy feats in arms appear'd 
Strange for thy sex, and beyond nature bold. 

Thou gainedst fame and lands ; and how have veer'd 
Thy fortunes since, I need not here unfold, 

!N"or tell how as a slave, and father too, 

Through warring ranks thy steps I still pursue. 



CANTO XTI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 225 

XXX IX. 

" Last dawn while all my senses seem'cl to lie 
Oppress'd with sleep, and in a deathlike state, 

The self-same phantom came, but in its eye 
More anger gleam'd, its voice was more elate. 

1 Lo, felon,' it exclaim' d, ' the hour is nigh 

Which bids Clorinda change both life and fate : 

She shall be mine in spite of thee : thy head 

Shall bear the woe ! ' and then through air it fled. 

XL. 

" Hear me, belov'd one, then ; Heav'n's threats declare 
That strange events are nearing thee with speed. 

I know not : perhaps it may not calmly bear 
That any should impugn a parent's creed ; 

PerhajDS the creed is true. grant my pray'r, 
Put off these arms, this spirit too bold indeed." 

He stopt, and moan'd ; she mus'd and grew afraid 

For a like dream too on her heart had weigh'd. 

XLI. 

At last, making her face serene, she cries : 

" I will retain that faith which now seems true, 

Which with my nurse's milk thou macl'st me prize, 
And doubts on which thou now appear'st to strew. 

Not will I quit these arms nor this emprise 

Through fear, which noble heart could never do, 

Xo, not if death, with the most savage mien 

That ever scar'd a mortal, stood between." 

XLII. 

She cheers him then, and since the time requires 
That now her act shall carry out her word, 

She quits and joins that warrior who desires 
To share the risk to which she has been stirr'd. 

Ismene comes too, and valour which requires 
]STo stimulus, by him is lash'd and spurr'd : 

He gives to each a ball, a sulphurous mass, 

And also lights conceal' d in hollow brass. 

XLIII. 

At night they issue softly, and down hill 
United go with frequent steps and wide, 

Until they reach near where, obscure and still, 
The huge machine uprears its lofty side. 

Their spirits become inflam'd, their bosoms fill 
And overflow with military pride : 

Fierce rage invites them on to blood and fire ; 

The guards cry out then, and the sign require. 

Q 






226 T0RQCAT0 TASSO. CANTO XII. 

XLIV. 

Still mutely they advance, and hence the guard 
Exclaim, To arms ! to arms ! with echoing sound. 

But now the generous pair no more retard 

Their course, nor hide them on the broken ground. 

Just as a thunderbolt or huge bombard 

Flashes at once and cracks with dread rebound, 

They move and they arrive, they smite the troop, 

Open, and pierce it, all in one fell swoop. 

XLV. 

And in the end though many a weapon gleams, 
And blows resound, success must crown the two. 

They bar'd their cover'd lights, and soon the streams 
Of sparks upon the fiery fuel Hew, 

Which roll'd them on and strew'd them o'er the beams. 
Who could tell how the flames crept on and grew 

From side to side ] what clouds of smoke were driven 

Across the pure and starry face of Heaven I 

XLVI. 

See globes of flame, obscure and mix'd. rise higher 
And higher amid the wheels of vapour dun. 

The wind blows and gives vigour to the fire, 
Whose scatter' d parts are gather' d into one. 

The great light strikes with consternation dire 
The Frankish host, and all to arm them run. 

That huge and dreaded mass yields to the blaze, 

And one brief hour beats down the toil of days.. 

XLV II. 

Two Christian squadrons tow'rd the burning frame 
^Meanwhile have hied them, guided by the light. 

Argante threatens : "I will quench that flame 

With your heart's blood," and fronts them for the fight. 

Yet drawing tow'rd Clorinda's side, he came 
Eetr eating slowly to the mountain's height. 

Like torrent swoll'n by lengthen' d rain, the throng 

Still grows, and treads on them, and mounts along. 

XLVIII. 

The golden gate is open, and at hand 

The king waits 'mid his troops with ready glee 3 

To welcome back the warriors from their grand 
Adventure when acconiplish'd it shall be. 

The two leap to the threshold, the Frank band 
Surging behind them onward like a sea ; 

These Solyman repels and routs : the gate 

Then closes, but Clorinda is too late. 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 227 

XLIX. 

She only was shut out, since when they drew 
The bars across the gate, she just had sped 

Far forward and with heat and fury flew 

To punish Ariinon who had struck her head. 

She punish'd him ; and nought Argante knew 
How far away the maiden had been led ; 

For battle, and the press, and the dense air, 

Depriv'd his eyes of sense, his heart of care. 

L. 

But when her heat of mind had been subdued 
In hostile blood, and she was now more wise, 

She saw the gate clos'd, and herself now mew'd 
By foes all round, and death before her eyes. 

Yet finding no discovery had ensued, 
New arts to save herself did she devise ; 

Feign'd to be one of them, and calmly turn'd 

Among th' unknown \ nor was the truth discern' d. 

LI. 

Then as a wolf, after some dark misdeed, 

Steals silent to the wood, besmear'd with gore, 

Help'd by the tumult she withdrew with heed, 
And hidden by the darken 'd air still more. 

Tancred alone perceiv'd her form recede. 
He had arriv'd there a short time before, 

And coming up when she slew Ariinon, 

Beheld her, mark'd her, after her is gone. 

LII. 

In arms he fain would prove her ; for a knight 
She seems on whom his skill may well be tried. 

She circling goes around the rocky height 

To seek some other gate through which to glide. 

He follows quick, and though his steps are light, 
So clanks his armour, ere he gains her side, 

That, turn'd, she cries : " Why spendest thou thy breath % 

What bringest thou]" He answers : " War, or death." 

LIII. 

" Take war and death," she said, " for I refuse 

Xought which thou seekest;" nrrnly then she stay'd. 

Tancred at once dismounts him when he views 
His foe on foot : and each then grasps the blade. 

And sharpens pride, and ev'ry moment strews 
Fresh fuel upon wrath ; and they invade 

Each other with a fury not less dire 

Than that of bulls innam'd with jealous ire. 



228 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIT. 



LIV. 

Sucli memorable deeds were acted best 

On pompous stage, in brilliant sun were scann'd. 

night, who in thy deep and darkling breast, 
And in oblivion, shutt'st a feat so grand, 

Thence let nie drag it, and, while none molest, 
To future times unfold it and remand. 

may their fame live, and mid their renown 

Shine forth the memory of thy shadowy brown ! 

LV. 

Never to shun, to parry, to retreat 

Attempt they, and their skill plays here no part : 
They give not blows, now earnest, now a cheat ; 

Darkness and rage remove the use of art, 
Hark ! with how dread a clang their sabres meet ! 

The foot refuses from its print to start ; 
Ever the foot is firm, and quick the hand, 
Xor ever cuts or thrusts in vain the brand. 

LVl. 

Injury goads anger to revenge, and, bas'd 
On this, revenge works injury anew ; 

Whence evermore to strike, ever to haste, 
Fresh stimulus is giv'n, and fresh cause too. 

The combat grows more blended, more enlac'd, 
Each moment ; from the blades no strokes ensue : 

They use the hilts, and madden'd in the fight, 

Butt with the helm and shield with all their might. 

LVII. 

Thrice does the cavalier hug tight the maid 

In his strong arms ; and thrice does she unclose 

With nimble skill that most tenacious braid, 
Braid of no lover, but of savage foes. 

Again they assail each other with the blade, 

And tinge with many a wound, till each one goes, 

"Weary and panting, somewhat back at last, 

To breathe a little after toil so vast. 

LVIII. 

One keenly looks at the' other, and they throw 
On the sword hilt their bloodless body's weight. 

The rays of the last star already grow 

More faint as dawn lights up the Eastern gate. 

Tancred perceives his enemy's life-blood flow 
More copiously, and his own wounds not great : 

Then joys and triumphs ! Ah ! how vain and frail 

Our mind, swelTd high by fortune's every gale ! 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 229 

LIX. 

Why joy'st thou, wretched one 1 Alas ! what woes 
Thy triumphs are ! how sad thy vaunt will be ! 

Thine eyes will pay, if life shall not now close, 
For each drop of that blood a tearful sea. 

Thus mute and gazing, in a forc'd repose 
Those bloody warriors for a time agree. 

Tancred at last broke silence, and exclaim'd, 

That he might learn how the' other knight was nam'cl : 

LX. 

" 'Tis our misfortune truly which displays 
Such valour where but silence can accrue. 

Yet since our evil fate denies us praise 
And witness worthy of the deeds we do, 

I pray thee, if a pray'r in battle weighs, 
To tell thy name and thy condition too, 

That I may know, slaying, or slain no less, 

Who graces thus my death or my success." 

LXI. 

The fierce one answer'd : " Thou canst ne'er be told 
That which it is my constant use to hide ; 

But whatsoever I may be, behold 

One of the two who fir'd yon tow'r of pride." 

Then Tancred's anger broke forth uncontroll'd : 
And, " Lucklessly thou speakest it," he cried : 

" Thy speech and silence equally, thou strange 

Discourteous knight, allure me to revenge." 

LXII. 

Their rage revives, and to the stern debate 

Transports them, although weak. savage fight, 

Where art is lost, and strength succumbs to fate, 
Where in their places fury reigns outright ! 

what a bloody and a spacious gate 
Each weapon opens, wheresoe'er it light, 

In the' arms and in the flesh ! and if there rest 

Life even yet, rage knits it to the breast. 

LXIJI. 

E'en as th' Egean, when the north wind's stound 
Has ceas'd, which roll'd and shook its tide before, 

Calms not, but keeps the motion and the sound 
Of gloomy wave yet vast and surging o'er : 

So these, although from many a bloody wound 

That strength which once had nerv'd them is no more, 

Hold their first impulse still, and onward go 

Sustain' d by this, yet adding blow to blow. 



230 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XII. 

LXIV. 

But lo the fatal hour, no more delay' d, 

Demands Clorinda for her final rest. 
He thrusts at her fair form his pointed blade, 

Which, greedy to drink blood, sinks in her breast ; 
And fills the robe, which with its golden braid 

Smoothly and lightly on her bosom press'd, 
With tepid streams. At once the maiden feels 
Death present, and her languid footstep reels. 

LXV. 

He follows up his victory, and more nigh 
Presses upon her, giving his rage scope. 

She while she falls utters with mournful cry 
These words as for the last time her lips ope, 

Words which appear from a new spirit to fly, 
The spirit of faith, of charity, of hope : 

Virtue infus'd by God, who if amiss 

Her creed in life, in death would have her His : 

LXVI. 

" Friend, thou hast won : I pardon thee, do thou 
Pardon too, not these limbs which fear no pain, 

But my poor soul : pray for it, and now 
Grant me the rite which washes off all stain." 

Something more sweet than language can avow, 
And sad, is echoing in that languid strain, 

Which creeps into his heart, puts rage to sleep, 

And draws and e'en compels his eyes to weep. 

LXVII. 

!Xot far off in the mountain's breast he spied 
A little brook leap down with murmuring tone : 

Thither he ran, thence fill'd his helm, and hied 
Back to his pious task with many a moan. 

He felt his hand shake as he put aside 

The cov'ring, and laid bare the front unknown. 

He saw, he knew her ; and stay'd silent quite 

And motionless. Ah knowledge ! and ah sight ! 

LXVIII. 

Yet dies he not ; but in that point of woe 

Gathers each force and guards his heart anew ; 

And keeping down his grief, turns to bestow 
With water life on whom with steel he slew. 

While from his lips the sacred accents flow 
She smiles and alters to a rapturous hue : 

And bright and joyous, as the pulses cease 

Appears to say : " Heav'n opes, I go in peace." 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 231 

LXIX. 

Sweet pallor now spread o'er her features fair ; 

Thus violets blent with lilies look : she lay 
With eyes fix'd upon Heav'n, and Heav'n aware, 

And sun, in pity bent on her their ray. 
And lifting tow'rd the knight her hand now bare 

And cold, instead of words which found no way, 
Gave him the pledge of peace. And thus the maid 
Passes away, and seems in slumber laid. 

LXX. 

When he perceiv'd the gentle spirit flown, 

He lost the vigor gather'd for a space, 
And yielded him completely to his moan 

Which ran already wide of reason's trace, 
And wrung his heart, and, life being almost gone, 

Imbued with death his senses and his face. 
Xow languishes the living like the dead, 
In silence, posture, hue, and gory bed. 

LXXI. 

And sure his lone and scornful soul had tried 
To force through its frail tenement a door, 

And follow the fair spirit which, untied, 

Had spread its wings for flight but just before : 

But hither a Frank squadron chanc'd to ride 
In search of water, or some other store ; 

And with the maid away the knight they bear 

Scarce living in himself, and dead in her : 

LXXII. 

And since the chief while yet afar descries 
The Christian warrior by his crest and mail ? 

Hence he runs thither, and at once espies 

The lovely slain • and grieves at the strange tale : 

And will not leave the beauteous corpse a prize 

For ravenous wolves, although her creed might fail ; 

But has them both upon men's shoulders sent, 

Himself accompanying, to Prince Tancred's tent. 

LXXIII. 

The wounded warrior in that motion slow 

And gentle has not yet his senses won ; 
But feebly groans, and hence his bearers know 

That all his vital passage is not done : 
But th' other body stirless, as they go, 

And silent, shows well that the spirit is gone. 
Thus are the two borne onward on that bier, 
And plac'cl in chambers separate, but yet near. 



232 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XII. 

LXXIV. 

The pitying squires around the prostrate knight 

Already minister mid hopes and fears ; 
His languid eyes already own the light, 

He feels the healing hand, the words he hears. 
But doubtful still of its returning might, 

Astonish'd and suspense his mind appears. 
Stupid he looks around him, and at last 
Sorrowing and hoarse, says, conscious of the past : 

LXXV. 

" Do I then live and breathe ? and still behold 
The hateful beams of this ill- omen' d day ? 

A day which witnesses my crimes untold, 
And chides me for my faults, a long array. 

Ah timid hand and slow ! why art not bold, 
Thou who art skill'd to strike in every way, 

Thou minister of death with horror rife, 

To cut the thread of this detested life ] 

LXXVI. 

" Pierce through this breast, and cruelly let fall 

Thy sword where all my heart's blood it may drain: 

But thou, p'rhaps, us'd to actions which appal, 
May deem it pity thus to end my pain. 

Then I shall live 'mong those whom men recall, 
Sad prodigy of love hapless and vain, 

Sad prodigy whose impious guilt can claim 

Its right reward but in a life of shame. 

LXXVII. 

" I shall live on in torment and in care, 
My righteous furies dogging me behind \ 

Shall dread the lone and gloomy shades of air, 
Which will recall my primal fault to mind ; 

And shall detest the sun because it there 
First told me my misfortunes as it shin'd : 

I e'en shall fear myself, and, though I fly 

Myself for ever, have myself still nigh. 

LXXVIII. 

" But where, hapless me, where repose 
The remnants of that frame so fair and chaste % 

That which escap'd the fury of my blows 

The fury of wild beasts e'en now may waste. 

Alas ! too noble prey ! too sweet for those, 
Too dear, and ah ! too precious a repast ! 

Luckless ! 'gainst whom the shades and woods have 

Me first, and afterwards the wolfish herd. [stirr'd 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 233 

LXXIX. 

" Yet will I seek you out, and by my side, 

Belov'd remains, ye shall for ever be. 
But if your lovely members have supplied 

Food for the wild beasts in their savagery, 
Then the same mouth for mine shall open wide, 

And the same gulf which holds them close o'er me. 
Happy the tomb, and deem'd an honor high, 
Where'er it be, if but with these I lie." 

LXXX. 

Thus speaks that wretched one, and then he hears 
They have the fair corpse here for which he sighs. 

His gloomy aspect in a moment clears [and flies ; 

Like clouds through which the lightning cleaves 

And from the couch of his repose he rears 
His limbs, a mass infirm and slow to rise ; 

And, dragging with great pain his weary frame, 

Thither with vacillating steps he came. 

LXXXI. 

But when, arriv'd, he saw the cruel wound, 
Work of his own hand, in that bosom dear, 

And face with hue like what at night is found 
In skies which are serene, and yet not clear ; 

He shook so, he had sunk upon the ground, 
If faithful succour had not been so near. 

Then said he : "0 thou face, which canst make sweet 

E'en death, but not the doom which I must meet ; 

LXXXII. 

" fair right hand, which gently didst apply 
To mine the pledge of friendship and of grace, 

What do I find thee now? and what come I ? 
And ye, fair members, can I fail to trace 

These sad and deadly marks, which raise a cry 
Against my passions tiger-like and base ] 

O eyes as pitiless as the hand that strook ; 

It made the wounds, and ye can bear to look. 

LXXXIII. 

" Look ye unmoisten'd ] Let my blood then plash, 
Since tears rebel thus against sorrow's pow'r." 

Here breaks he off his words, and mov'd by rash 
And desp'rate wish to hasten his last hour, 

Tears bandages and wounds, and from each gash 
Thus exacerbated he rains a show'r : • 

And had destroy'd himself but this sharp grieving 

By dragging him from self preserv'd him living. 



234 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XII. 



LXXXIV. 

Plac'd on the bed, home to its vital shroud 
And odious duties came the flitting soid. 

But babbling fame tells evermore aloud 
His agonizing pain, and hapless dole : 

It draws the pious Godfrey, and a crowd 

Of anxious friends, the worthiest of the whole : 

But neither grave advice, nor gentle pray'r, 

Avail to soothe his soul's obdurate care. 

LXXXV. 

As when a gentle limb is wounded sore, 
A touch provokes it and augments the pain, 

So in such ill their sweet persuasive lore 

But makes his medicin'd heart feel greater bane. 

But holy Peter, who regards him more 

Than the good shepherd does the lamb half slain, 

Eebukes in gravest words his vain excess, 

And wisely counsels him in this distress. 

LXXXVI. 

" Tancred, Tancred, from thyself so riven, 
So false to thine own reason's just decree, 

Who makes thee deaf? what cloud of darkness driven 
Athwart thine eyes causes thee not to see 1 

This misery is the messenger of Heaven : 

Seest thou not it, nor hear'st its warning plea ? 

Which cries and calls thee back, and bids thee stray 

No more from the lost track, and points the way ? 

LXXXVII. 

" Thy former services it seems to claim, 

Those worthy of a Christian cavalier, 
Which thou hast left, what an exchange of shame ! 

To make thyself a godless maiden's fere. 
A happy sorrow, and a wrath whose aim 

Is mercy, lash thee for thy mad career 
With gentle rod, and make thee fainting choose 
Thyself to heal thee ; and dost thou refuse ? 

LXXXVIII. 

" Dost thou refuse, ungrateful one, to own 

God's saving gift, and 'gainst Him vent thine ire'? 

Wretch, whither runn'st thou, heeding thus alone 
Thine own unbridled and insane desire 1 

Thou'rt there e'en now, and falling hang'st and prone 
O'er the dread gulf, and seest thou not the fire ? 

Behold, I pray ; collect thyself \ put by 

That grief which will compel thee twice to die." 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 235 

LXXXIX. 

He ceas'd ; and fear of death with, endless pains 

Made Tancred wish that other death the less. 
His heart admits their comforts, and he reins 

Th' internal impulse of intense distress ; 
Yet still he groans at intervals, and strains 

Of lamentation cannot all repress, 
Now talking to himself, now to the soul 
Unloos'd' and list'ning from its starry goal. 

xc. 
Her when day dawns, her at the hour of rest 

He calls with weary voice, prays and deplores ; 
So the poor nightingale, who finds her nest 

Kobb'd of its young by heartless peasant, pours 
Her thrilling sorrows, lonely and distress'd, 

All the night long, and. fills the woods and shores. 
At last he closes, when the stars grow faint, 
His eyes awhile, and sleep creeps o'er his plaint. 

xci. 
And cinctur'd lo ! with starry vest appears 

In a deep dream the friend for whom he sighs : 
More lovely far, but heav'nly splendour cheers 

And decks her form, nor wraps it in disguise : 
And wiping from his mournful cheek the tears 

With a sweet air of pity, thus she cries : 
" How fair I am become, how joyful, see, 
Dear faithful one ; and calm thy grief in me. 

xcn. 
" Such am I, thanks to thee : 'twas thou didst rend 

My spirit through error from its mortal shrine : 
Thou, pitying, mad'st me worthy to ascend 

Into God's bosom mid His saints divine. 
Here blest I joy in love * and in the end 

Here hope I that thy soul will meet with mine, 
Where at the mighty sun in endless light 
Its charms, and mine, shall fill thy ravish'd sight. 

XCIII. 

" Unless thou envy thyself Heav'n, and reel 
From the true path through vain imagining ; 

Then live, and know, I love thee, nor conceal 
Love great as one may bear created thing." 

Thus speaking, she became innam'd with zeal, 
And from her eyes unwonted fires took wing ; 

Then to the depths of her own rays she drew, 

And vanish'd ; and oh him shed peace anew. 



236 torquato tasso. CANTO xii. 

XCIV. 

Consol'd he wakens, and without a moan 

Submits liim to the learned leeches round. 
Meanwhile the much lov'd limbs from which had flown 

That noble life,, consigns he to the ground ; 
And if the tomb were not of richest stone. 

And choicest, and engrav'd by hand renown'd, 
The stone and he who shap'd it into grace 
Were what was yielded by the time and place. 

xcv. 
Hither with noble pomp and a long line 

Of torches lit. he had her body borne ; 
And. as a trophy, hung on a bare pine 

Above the grave the arms which she had worn. 
But soon as his bruis'd members could resign 

Their needed rest upon the following morn, 
Pull of deep rev'rence, and with pitying moans, 
He visited her urn'd and honor d bones. 

XCVI. 

Beac hin g the tomb in which most dolorous bower 
Heav'n bade henceforth his living spirit abide, 

Cold, pallid, mute, and scarcely with the power 
To move him, on the stones his eyes were tied ; 

At length discharoino' a Ions; tearful shower. 
He burst into a faint alas ! and cried : 

" stone so lov'd, which memory so endears, 

Who hast my tires within, without my tears ! 

XCVII. 

" Not death but living ashes find in thee 

A dwelling place, where Love now lies at rest. 

I feel from thee his wonted torch, ah me ! 
Less sweet but not less glowing in my breast. 

take my sighs, these kisses take, and see 

How all are bath'd with moisture unsuppress'd, 

And these present thou, since I'm not allow'd, 

To the belov'd remains within thy shroud. 

XCVIII. 

" Present them thou, for if her spirit e'er 

Shall on its own fan spoils bend down its eyes. 

She will not scorn thy pity, nor.niy pray'r, 

Since hate and rage are banish' d from the skies. 

My fault she pardons, and mid such despair 

My heart upon this hope alone relies. 
She knows the hand sinn'd only, and grants that I, 
Who liv'd to love her, loving her may die. 



CANTO XII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 237 

xcrx. 
u And loving will I die : happy day 

Whene'er it be ; bnt happier far, Heav'n knows, 
If e'en as now around thy pile I stray, 

"Within thy bosom I may then repose. 
may our souls in Heav'n united stay. 

And may one tomb our ashes here enclose : 
Let death at last have that which life had not. 
could I hope for this, how proud my lot ! " 

c. 
Meanwhile, confus'dly, whisperings of the bale 

Thus wrought through all the leaguer'd region glide : 
Then 'tis assur'd, and publish'd, and the tale 

Eoves through the startled city on every side, 
Commingled with loud cries and women's wail, 

As if 'twere ta'en in war, and ruin wide 
Told all were lost, and fire and impious foe 
Sack'd the tall temples, and the homes below. 

ci. 
But all eyes seek Arsetes in whose mien 

And tones the deepest misery is confess'd. 
He does not like the rest dissolve his teen 

In tears, for 'tis too hard to be express'd, 
But sprinkles and befouls with dust unclean 

His silver locks, and rends his face and breast. 
Xow while he thus is gaz'd at by the crowd, 
Forth comes Argante, and thus speaks aloud : 

en. 
" Much wish'd I when I first perceiv'd the maid 

Shut out through her returning back too late, 
To follow her at once as honor bade, 

And speedily I ran to share her fate. 
What did I not ? said not ? or how not pray'd 

The king that he would make them ope the gate : 
Me praying and contending all in vain 
His will kept back which here supreme must reign. 

cm. 
" Ah, had I then gone, either I had led 

Safe back the championess from perilous maze ; 
Or else, where she has made the pavement red 

Had clos'd with memorable end my days. 
But what more could 1 1 gocls and men have sped, 

Through differing counsels, upon different ways. 
She died as fate appointed ; and the debt 
Xow due from me I' never shall forget. 



238 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XII. 

CIV. 

" Hear thou, Jerusalem, what I promise : hear, 

Heav'n \ and let thy bolts where'er I hide 
Fall on my head, if here I fail. I swear 

Eevenge upon the Frankish homicide, 
Whose death from me, repaying her's, is near ; 

!Nor ever shall this weapon quit my side 
Until it pass through Tancred's heart, and throw 
His branded carcase to the wolf and crow." 

cv. 
Thus did he vent him, and the popular gale 

Folio w'd his latest words with plausive tones : 
And all, as seeming even now to hail 

The wish'd revenge, temper their tears and moans. 
foolish oath ! how soon effects prevail 

Eeverse to those which hope so fondly owns, 
And he must fall in equal combat slain 
By him whom now he makes subdued and ta'en ! 



239 



CANTO XIII. 

ARGUMENT. 

Hell's habitants in woodman's shape and hnes 

Roam through the wood (Ismene so works by spell) . 

The guilty troop with mocks and fears abuse 
Such Franks as thither come the trees to fell. 

Th' unconquer'd Tancred comes, and soon subdues 
That error's fierce deceit, subduing Hell, 

When pity him subdues, and fear restrains ; 

And from the skies the fields have sweetest rains. 

I. 
Scarce had the wall's dread foe, the huge machine, 

Sunk into ashes, ere in thoughtful mood, 
To make the city more secure, Ismene 

Begins on many a new device to brood, 
And hence contrives he that the Frank shall glean 

Xo more material from the neighb'ring wood ; 
So that 'gainst Sion, batter'd now and maim'd, 
Xo other tow'r can possibly be fram'd. 

ii. 
Xot far from where the Christian tents are spread 

Soars the tall forest in a lonely vale, 
Most tangled with huge trees antique and dread, 

Which scatter'd all about it shades of bale. 
E'en when the sun's rays are most brightly shed, 

The light is here uncertain, sad, and pale ; 
Such as in cloudy skies looms on the sight 
When night succeeds to day, or day to night. 

in. 
But when the sun is gone, soon night and cloud 

Darkness and horror blend together here, 
Which seem to equal those of hell, and shroud 

The eyes in blindness, fill the heart with fear. 
Shepherd nor herdman guides the fleecy crowd 

Xor drove for food, for shade, here all the year : 
Xor trav'llers unless lost approach its waste ; 
But point it out afar, and pass in haste. 



240 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XII T. 



IV. 

Here do the witches gather, and her mate 

'Comes with each one of them in night's obscure, 
Comes on the clouds ; some like a dragon great, 

And others like a hideous goat impure. 
Infamous council, whom the treach'rous bait 

Of seeming good can evermore allure 
To celebrate with pomps unclean and vain 
The impious nuptials, and the feast profane. 

v. 
Thus 'twas believ'd ■ nor habitant was known 

Ever to pluck from the drear wood a spray • 
But the Franks ventur'd there, since it alone 

Supplied them tall machines for siege array. 
Xow hither came the Mage, when deep was grown 

The silence of the night, more fit than clay, 
(The night which follow'd next) and form'd his round 
Of magic, and scor'd signs upon the ground. 

VI. 

On one foot bard, into the circular trace 

He stept, and the most pow'rful spells he tried. 

Three times he turn'd then to the east Ms face, 
Three times to where the solar rays subside ; 

Three times he wav'd the rod which wont to chase 
Dead bodies from the tomb, and make them glide ; 

Three times with shoeless foot he shook the earth ; 

Then with a dreadful cry his speech came forth : 

VII. 

" Hear, hear, ye who from the stars were cast 
Precipitate by the pealing thunder's blow ; 

Both ye who move the tempest and the blast, 
Erratic tenants of air, and ye below 

This earth, who minister in prison vast 
To lost and wicked souls eternal woe ; 

Hell's people, I invoke here all your quire ; 

And thee too, lord of th' impious realms of fire. 

VIII. 

" Guard well this forest, and at my behest 
These trees of which I know the number true. 

As body is of soul th' abode and vest, 
So let each plant become to one of you : 

That Franks may fly it, or at least arrest 

Their blows at once, nor brave your rage anew." 

He spake, and horrid notes he added then 

"Which none but impious tongue can tell again. 






CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 241 

IX. 

At tins harangue the torches which adorn 

The calm of night are all discolored o'er ; 
The moon is troubled and inwraps her horn 

In curling clouds, and is beheld no more. 
His cries are then renewed in wrathful scorn : 

" Ye spirits invok'd, heed ye not yet my lore ] 
Why such delay ? Perchance ye wait the thrill 
Of sounds more potent or more secret still. 

x. 
" Though long unpractis'd, I have yet retain'd 

The cruel arts' most efficacious aid • 
And know to utter with a tongue bloodstain' d 

That grand name at which all things are dismay'd, 
Which never Dis was deaf to, nor disdain' d, 

And Pluto's self has carefully obey'd. [thought, 

Why thus 1 why thus . . . ." Yet more was in his 
But here he was aware the spell had wrought. 

XL 

Unnumber'd infinite spirits come, nor lack 
Those who in upper air abide and stray, 

Nor those who issuing from the foul and black 
Foundations of the earth emerge to day ; 

All slow and by th' injunction still held back 
Which hinder'd them from using arm'd array ; 

And yet their coming hither now allows, 

To tarry in the trunks and mid the boughs. 

XII. 

The Sorcerer, having thus achiev'd aright 
His dark design, hies to the king with glee : 

" Away with doubt, Sire \ let thy heart be light, 
For safe henceforth thy regal seat shall be ; 

Not shall the Frankish host renew the might 
Of their immense machines as they decree." 

Thus speaks he to him ; and then, part by part, 

Tells the successes of the magic art, 

XIII. 

He then subjoin' d : " There will besides ensue 
A thing I like not less than what is done. 

Soon in the heav'nly Lion shall we view 

Mars reaching his conjunction with the sun : 

And neither gales nor clouds of rain or dew 

Will temper their fierce flames when once begun ; 

Since all the symptoms which the skies give out 

Predict a singular and disastrous drought. 

R 



24:2 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIII. 



XIV. 

I Hence heat will come, such as is barely found 

With the burnt Nasamon and Garamant ; 
To us less grave since in our city abound 

Water and shade so fresh, nor are we scant 
Of comforts ; but the Franks on arid ground 

Beneath it hardly will endure to pant ; 
And, first subdued by Heav'n, will fall a prey 
With ease then to th' Egyptian's arm'd array. 

xv. 
" Thou seated shalt be victor, and no more, 

I deem, should' st tempt thy fortune in the plain. 
But if the proud Circassian who is sore 

At all repose, and views it with disdain, 
Shall haste and importune thee as before, 

Find thou some mode his fury to restrain : 
For little time shall lapse ere Heav'n bestow 
Peace upon thee, and war upon the foe." 

XVI. 

This heard, the king assumes a cheerful air, 
His fears of the foe's pow'r being all effac'd. 

The walls in part had undergone repair 

Where shaken by the ram's impetuous haste : 

Yet for all this he slacken'd not his care 
To right whate'er was broken or displac'd. 

Hither in crowds burghers and bondmen swarm 

To labour, and the quick work waxes warm. 

XVII. 

In the meantime the pious Bouillon will'd 
To batter not the pow'rful city in vain, 

Until his greater mass he could re-build, 

And some few more machines make sound again : 

But to the wood sent sappers who were skill'd 
To choose out timbers of right shape and grain. 

These at the dawn betook them to the wood ; 

But when they saw it, again dismay'd they stood. 

XVIII. 

As a young child dares not unclose its eyes 

Where some unwonted sight may meet its gaze ; 

Or as it dreads when night obscures the skies 
The spectres which its own quick fancies raise : 

So shrink they without having a surmise 
Of what it is that strikes them with amaze ; 

Unless 'tis fear that cheats them till each thinks 

He sees worse shapes than Gorgon there, or Sphynx. 



CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 243 

XIX. 

The crowd return ; and timidly they stand 

And vary and confound so fact and tale, 
That they are ridicul'd on ev'ry hand, 

And none believe the things at which they quail. 
The Chief then sends a brave and pow'rful band 

Of well selected warriors to the vale, 
To' escort the others and to give them heart 
In executing their appointed part. 

xx. 
These drawing nigh to where the spirits of ill 

In sylvan horror had ta'en up their rest, 
No sooner view'd the dark shades than a chill, 

Colder than ice could gender, shook their breast. 
And yet they went on further, keeping still 

Under a bold face villain fear suppress'd; 
And they advane'd so far that little space 
Now sever'd them from that enchanted place. 

XXI. 

A sudden sound comes from the forest hoar 
As 'twere the rumble of an earthquake there, 

The south wind seems to murmur from some shore, 
And waves to moan on rocks as in despair : 

Hark to the serpent's hiss, the lion's roar, 

The wolf's long howl, the growling of the bear ; 

Hark to the trump, and thunder's dreadful stound : 

Such various sounds are utter'd in one sound. 

XXII. 

Then grow the cheeks of every warrior pale, 
And by a thousand signs they show dismay : 

Nor discipline nor reason can prevail 

To make them venture on, or even stay ; 

Since from the hidden force at which they quail 
Eut meagre and unfit defence have they. 

At last they fly, and one of the troop seeks 

The pious Bouillon, and, excusing, speaks : 

XXIII. 

" No one of us will venture, Sire, I own, 
To cut the wood which so secur'd one sees 

That I believe and swear it, Pluto's throne 
And pow'r must be translated to those trees. 

Thrice must his heart be girt with more than stone 
Who can regard them, and with fear not freeze : 

Nor sense has he who. ventures in th' abyss 

To hear how thunder blends with roar and hiss." 



24:4: TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIII. 



XXIV. 

Thus did lie speak. Alcasto, mid the crowd 
By chance was present, when all this was told ; 

One stupidly and fiercely rash, who avow'd 

Contempt for men and death ; and from of old 

Had fear'd no beast however fierce and loud, 
Not monster formidable to the hold, 

Nor earthquake, nor wild wind, nor thunder huiTd. 

Xor aught beside most violent in the world. 

XXV. 

He shook his head, and smil'cl as thus he spake : 
" I dare do what to this man dreadful seems : 

Alone to cut that wood I undertake 

AVhick is become a nest of turbid dreams. 

Me shall no horrible phantasma shake, 

Xor roar of forest, nor of birds the screams : 

Although amid that dark and frightful dell 

Be shown to me the passage down to Hell.'' 

XXVI. 

So vaunts he to the Chief with wonted heat. 

And, leave obtain'd, sets out to brave the worst : 
And views the wood, and near its dark retreat. 

Lists to the echoing roar thence newly burst : 
Nor therefore turns he back his daring feet, 

But is secure and scornful as at first : 
And has already trodd'n the soil thus barrel : 
But flames, or seeming flames, his path retard. 

XXVII. 

The grand fire grows, and like to walls on high 
Its turbid and smoke-rolling names extend, 

And gird that forest, seeming to defy 

All who attempt to fell the trees, or rend. 

The larger flames to the spectator's eye 
Like haughty castellated tow'rs ascend : 

And all the rocky heights of this new Hell 

With warlike instruments are furnish'd well. 

XXVIIT. 

"What countless monsters, arm"d to guard them, rise 
O'er the tall ramparts ! with what dreadful face ! 

Some of them gaze on him with twisted eyes, 

Some clash their arms, anil threat with sword and 

He flies at last : yet still he slowly flies, [mar-. 

Like Hon who withdraws him in the chase, 

But still 'tis flight, and fear too shakes his breast. 

A passion which till then was ne'er confess'd. 



CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 245 

XXIX. 

"While there, he knew not that it had struck root, 
But when far off, he well perceiv'd the smart, 

And stunn'd and angry felt the tooth acute 
Of deep repentance gnawing at his heart. 

And burning now with sorrowing shame, and mute, 
Turn'd in astonishment his steps apart, 

For to lift up that face, of late so proud, 

He dar'd not in the light, and mid the crowd. 

XXX. 

Summon'd by Godfrey, he delays, and draws 

From every thing excuse, however lame ; 
Yet goes, though slowly 5 and his lips he gnaws, 

Or reasons like a dreamer without aim. 
The Captain read the failure of his cause, 

Defeat, and flight, in that unwonted shame. 
Then said he : " What is this 1 Must we imply 
Illusions here, or nature's portents high ? 

xxxi. 
" But if there be in whom high thoughts arise 

And noble wish to seek yon dark abode, 
Let him go forth and undertake th' emprise, 

And bring back news at least in surer mode." 
He spake, and tow'rd the wood where horror lies 

The noblest of his warriors took the road 
Upon the three succeeding days ; and yet 
There was not one who shrank not at its threat. 

XXXII. 

Meanwhile Prince Tancred had gone forth to' inhume 
His much lov'd friend in solitary vale : 

And though his face were faint, and without bloom, 
And he ill fit to carry helm or mail, 

Yet when he hears the need, and sees the gloom, 
Neither the risk nor toil can make him quail ; 

For from his lively heart such strength flows o'er 

Into his frame, that it too has good store. 

XXXIII. 

Forth, self-collected, went the valorous knight, 
Silent and cautious, to the risk unknown ■ 

And of the wood endur'd the dreadful sight, 
The crash of thunder, and the earthquake tone, 

Xor was dismay' d • and in his heart but slight 
Commotion felt, and that was quickly flown. 

Onward he pass'd, and lo ! in that wild wood 

The city of fire at once before him stood. 



246 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIII. 



XXXIY. 

He stops, and somewhat doubtful makes a pause, 

Thus thinking : " Here 'gainst what can weapons 
Shall I go throw me into monsters' jaws, [aim] 

Or the deep throat of this devouring flame ? 
Let none spare life whene'er a noble cause, 

Bas'd on the common good, that life shall claim ; 
But let not brave man squander breath away ; 
Arid this does he who spends it in this fray. 

xxxv. 
" Yet what will the' host say if I come in vain ? 

What other wood to fell have they in view 1 
Neither will Godfrey let this pass remain 

Untried still : if, then, others should win through ? 
Perchance the flames which here so widely reign 

Will in effect be milder than in hue : 
But let what will ensue." And thus declaring 
He leapt within : memorable daring ! 

XXXVI. 

Xor seem'd he underneath his arms to feel 
Or heat, or warmth, as from a fire intense. 

But if the flames were spectral, or were real, 
Could not so soon be judg'd of by the sense : 

Because almost ere touch'd they seem'd to wheel 
At once from sight ; and clouds obscurely dense 

Came wafting night and storm ; and the storm too 

And shadows in a little time withdrew. 

XXXVII. 

Tancred, astounded but intrepid, stays ; 

And when he sees that all is in repose, 
Secure upon the soil profane he lays 

His foot, and spies whate'er the woods disclose. 
IsTor more perceives he visions to amaze, 

Xor finds he aught to stop him or oppose, 
Save that the plants all thick and tangled rise 
To clog his footsteps, and to veil his eyes. 

XXXVIII. 

At last he views a large and circular space 
Whose surface not a plant appears to mark, 

Save that there soars up from the centre as base, 
Like some tall pyramid, a cypress dark. 

Thither he hies, and as he looks can trace 
Odd characters imprinted on the bark, 

Like those which in mysterious Egypt's clime 

Were us'd for writing in the olden time. 



CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 247 

XXXIX. 

Amid the marks unknown some lie has read 

In Syria's tongue of which he had knowledge meet : 

" thou who in the cloisters of the dead 

Hast dar'd, audacious knight, to place thy feet, 

Ah, if not pitiless as valiant, tread 

Disturbingly no more this lone retreat. 

Pardon the souls for ever robb'd of light : 

The living ought not with the dead to fight." 

XL. 

Thus speaks the motto. All intent is he 
To strip the hidden sense of its disguise. 

But through the leaves and sprays of every tree 
The wind meanwhile continually plies, 

And draws from them a sound which seems to be 
The sad concent of human sobs and sighs, 

And pours into his heart what scarce I know 

( )f pity, and of terror, and of woe. 

XLI. 

Yet draws he forth his sword, and with huge might 
Strikes the tall tree. marvel to be said ! 

The bark when cut sends blood forth to the light, 
And makes the earth around it vermeil red. 

He shudders, and yet once more does he smite 
Eesolv'd to see the end, however dread ; 

Then, as if issuing from a tomb he hears, 

A dubious sound of mingled moans and tears, 

XLll. 

Which, soon distinct, exclaims : " Alas ! too far 

Thou wound'st me, Tancred ! Add not to my load. 

Me from that body thou didst erst unbar 

Which with and through me liv'd, my sweet abode : 

This wretched trunk why also wilt thou mar 
Where fate has fix'd me in so hard a mode ? 

Cruel, dost thou desire to wound thy foes 

E'en after death, where their remains repose ? 

XLIII. 

" I was Clorinda : nor do I alone, 

Lock'd in these rough and rigid branches, dwell ; 
But each beside, as Frank or Pagan known, 

Who underneath the lofty ramparts fell, 
Into such body, or such grave, is thrown, 

I know not which, by new and wondrous spell. 
Endued with sense is every trunk and bough, 
If wood thou cut, a murderer art thou." 



248 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIII. 



XLIV. 

As the sick man who in a vision spies 

A dragon or chimaera girt with lire, 
Though he suspects, and partly too descries, 

That 'tis an image, and not truth's attire ; 
Yet longs to fly, such fears in him arise 

At the' apparition horrible and dire : 
So the poor lover deems those false deceits 
Not wholly true : yet fears them, and retreats. 

XLV. 

By various passions is his heart so sway'd 
That it grows cold and trembles at the sight. 

And in that strong commotion his good blade 
Tails from his hand, and lack in him is fright. 

His senses go : he seems to view the maid 

Wounded and moaning o'er her piteous plight : 

Nor can endure to gaze at that red stain, 

Nor hear those groans from one oppress" d with pain. 

XLVI. 

And thus no shape of terror could appal 

That heart which e'en in front of death was bold ; 

But hhn, whom only Love could e'er enthrall, 
False image cheated, and vain tears control' d. 

By furious blast the sword which he let fall 

Meanwhile from out the wood was swept and roll'd ; 

So that he quat subdued ; and on the road 

Re-found his weapon, and resum'd the load. 

XLVII. 

Yet he return'd not, nor presum'd to try 
The search of that mysterious cause anew : 

And after he had join'd the Chieftain high, 

Compos'd his mind, and gain'd the balance due, 

" Sire," he began, " the messenger am I 

Of things deem'd false, and which can scarce be true. 

All which they told us of those sounds of dread, 

And sights of horror, was correctly said. 

XLVIII. 

" Across my path a wondrous fire there came 

But unsubstantial, in an instant near, 
\Yhich rose up, and dilating seem'd to frame 

A wall defended by strange shapes of fear : 
Yet pass'd I, for I was not scorch' d by flame, 

And none oppos'd my path with sword or spear : 
Tempest and darkness next ensued ; and day 
With peaceful skies return'd with short delay. 



CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 249 

XLIX. 

" I say too that in every tree is found 

A human spirit that feels and reasons well. 

By proof I know it : I have heard the sound 
Which echoes in my heart yet like a knell. 

The trunks gush out with blood at every wound, 
As if soft flesh were underneath their shell. 

I could not, no, me vanquished I avow, 

I could not strip the bark, nor rend a bough.' ' 

L. 

This spoken, in the Captain's heart there flow 
Billows of stormy thought which bring distress. 

He ponders if himself shall thither go 

To' essay th' enchantment, for it seem'd no less ; 

Or shall provide him other beams that grow 
More distant, but are easier of access. 

But from the depths of thought in which he stays 

The Hermit calls him forth, and after says : 

LI. 

" Abandon the bold project ; other hands 

Must rend the plants from yonder sylvan dale. 

Now, now the fated ship on the lone sands 
Abuts its prow, and furls its golden sail. 

Xow from the shore, loos' d from unworthy bands, 
Th' expected warrior hurries with the gale. 

The hour prescribed by fate approaches nigh 

When Sion shall be ta'en, its host shall fly." 

LII. 

Thus did he speak while all his features burn'd, 
And rang his voice with more than mortal tone. 

And to new thoughts the pious Godfrey turn'd, 
Xot willing to be stirless like a drone. 

But in the heav'nly Cancer now discern'd 

The sun brought heat such as had not been known, 

By which his troops were vex'd, his plans were marr'd, 

And all fatigue was made intensely hard. 

LIII. 

Of each benignant lamp the skies are bare, 
And every cruel star triumphant glows, 

Whence influences rain that stamp the air 

With traces fierce and fell. Xow widening grows 

The baneful heat, and, ever slow to spare, 

More deadly falls on these parts and on those. 

More hurtful night succeeds to hurtful day, 

And day is worse when night has pass'd away. 



250 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XTII. 

LTV. 

The sun comes forth besprinkled and enchain' d 

With sanguinary vapour every morn, 
So that to all is legibly explain'd 

The mournful presage of a day forlorn : 
Nor sets he save with spots of red bestain'd 

That threaten equal harm at his return. 
Exasperating all the ills pass'd o'er 
With certain fear of future woes in store. 

LV. 

While from above his baleful rays prevail, 

Whithersoever wanders mortal eye, 
It sees the flow'rs fall off, the leaves grow pale, 

The thirsty herbage languishingly lie, 
The earth gape widely, and the waters fail ; 

All subject to the anger of the sky ; 
And barren clouds thin scatter'd o'er the air 
Appear to some like flames to curl and glare. 

LVI. 

Like a black furnace do the Heav'ns expand, 
Nor aught is seen to gladden e'en the eyes. 

Mute in its cave remains the zephyr bland, 
And all the prattling of the breezes dies : 

There only blows from off the Moorish sand 
A wind that from hot torches seems to rise, 

And with its ponderous blast is felt to wreak 

Prom time to time its spite on breast and cheek. 

LVII. 

The shades of eve no better cheer inspire 

But with the borrow' d sun's heat seem replete ; 

And Night inweaves her veil with beams of fire, 
With comets, and all tissues that give heat. 

Nor, sad and thirsty earth, to thy desire 

Will th' avaricious moon her dewdrops mete ; 

And herbs and flow'rs on mountain and on plain 

Long for their vital humours all in vain. 

LVIII. 

From nights unquiet, gentle sleep exil'd 
Fled far, and wretched mortals had no skill 

To win it back, for 'twould not be beguil'd. 
But yet the thirst was the most grievous ill, 

Because Judaea's tyrant had defll'd 

With juice and poisons that torment and kill 

More than e'en Acheron or the Stygian flood, 

Each stream, and turn'd it to a livid mud. 



CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 251 

LIX. 

And the small Siloa which had giv'n the Frank 
With glee its pure and glittering wealth before, 

In tepid wavelets o'er its channel shrank 

Almost to naught, and scarce refreshed him more. 

Yet not the Po when wrestling with his bank 
Had seem'd to bring down a sufficient store, 

Xor Ganges, nor e'en Nile when, wax'd too grand 

For his seven homes, he floods green Egypt's land. 

LX. 

If any e'er, embowYd in beeches tall, 

Had mark'd the liquid silver sleep below, 

Or view'd the living water headlong fall 

Down rocks, or stray through grass with motion slow, 

These to his fond desire would he recall 
And minister material to his woe : 

Because their cold soft image dried his frame, 

Boil'd in his thoughts, and heated them to flame. 

LXI. 

The limbs of warriors once robustly bold, 

Whose might nor roughest travel could abate, 

Xor iron load around their members roll'd, 
Nor steel intended to conclude their fate, 

Lo ! burnt with heat, and listless, on the mould 
They now lie, to themselves an useless weight ; 

And hidden fire dwells in their veins, and gnaws 

The structure slowly but without a pause. 

LXII. 

The steed, once fiery, droops, and with disdain 
Eegards the herbs on which he lov'd to feed : 

His feeble foot now totters, and his mane 

So proud before hangs down like wither'd weed : 

Xo memory of his palms does he retain, 
Nor more to glory's thrilling call give heed : 

He seems to hate and spurn the conquer'd spoils, 

And trappings rich, as weights that swell his toils. 

LXIII. 

The faithful dog droops, and forgets all care 
Of the lov'd home, nor e'en his lord will greet ; 

Stretch' d out he lies there, and exhales new air, 
Evermore panting from th' internal heat. 

Though Nature's end in breathing be to bear 
Excess of warmth out of the heart's retreat, 

Now springs but small or no refreshment thence, 

That which is breath' d so heavy is and dense. 



252 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIII. 

LXIV. 

Thus the earth languish' d ; and in such a state 
Did wretched mortals vex'd with sickness lie ; 

And the good faithful folk, grown desperate 
Of vict'ry, fear'd the last of evils nigh • 

And in these words was heard now to dilate 
On every side the universal cry : 

" What more can Godfrey hope ? to what give heed, 

Since all his camp hies on to death with speed? " 

LXV. 

Ah ! with what force expects he to see min'd, 
Or scal'd, the tall defences of our foes 1 

Whence win machines'? Is he the sole one blind 
To the deep wrath which Heav'n so plainly shows ? 

That it has now become to us unkind 
A thousand signs and prodigies disclose ; 

And Heav'n so burns that the Indian e'en requires, 

And Ethiop, less refreshment from its fires. 

LXVI. 

" Does this man deem that it should nothing weigh 
Though we may fall, a poor neglected train, 

Despis'd and useless souls, to death a prey, 
Provided he secure a scepter'd reign ? 

Is then the lot of him who holds the sway 
Supreme so blest that he will still retain 

Thus greedily the prize at every cost, 

Though all his subject people shall be lost ? 

LXVII. 

" See the kind forethought, the warm heart of one 
Surnam'd ' the pious' by the general cry : 

To care not how his people are undone, 
If but his empty fame still soar on high ; 

And while for us no brooks nor fountains run, 
To bring from Jordan e'en his own supply ; 

And, with a few plac'd at the cheerful board, 

Sip Cretan wine in pure fresh water pour'd !" 

LXVIII. 

Thus did the Franks cry. But the Grecian chief, 
Weary of marching with their flag so long, 

Said : " Why die here, and, hopeless of relief, 
Expose my gallant squadron to such wrong 1 

If Godfrey be so madly blind, the grief 

And loss on him be, and his Prankish throng : 

Why hurts he us V And without leave procur'd 

He quits when all is silent and obscur'd. 



CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 253 

LXIX. 

Th' example moves when day reveals it more, 
And some resolve to follow it ; and they 

Who with Clothaire and Ademar came o'er 

And the' other chiefs who now are bones and clay, 

Since the allegiance which to these they swore 
Is loos'd by that which sweeps all ties away, 

Already treat of flight ; already some 

Move off by stealth when the dark shadows come. 

LXX. 

All this does Godfrey hear and see with grief ; 

And has the sharpest remedies at hand; 
But shnns and hates them ; and with that belief 

Which conld make mountains move and rivers stand, 
Devoutly prays the world's great Sov'reign Chief 

To make the fountains of His grace expand. 
He clasps his hands, and lifts his words and eyes 
Sparkling with zealous fervour to the skies : 

LXXI. 

" Father and Lord, if ever Thou didst show'r 
Upon Thy host in deserts the sweet dew, 

If e'er to mortal hand Thou gavest pow'r 

To burst the stones, and from the mount cleft through 

Draw living streams, repeat Thou at this hour 
Such acts for these ; and if their merits be few 

let Thy grace their scanty measure fill, 

And aid these who are nam'd Thy warriors still." 

LXXII. 

Xot laggingly such pray'rs as these arise, 

Sprung from just meek desire, but, prompt and fast 

As e'en the feather'd birds, they mount the skies, 
And up to the high throne of God have pass'd. 

Th' eternal Sire receives them, and His eyes 
With pity on His faithful troops are cast. 

And of their risks and their fatigues so grave 

Eepents He, and exclaims in tones that save : 

LXXI1I. 

" Till now, misfortunes perilous and intense 

Upon the cherish'd host have wreak' d their spite ; 

'Gainst it with arms and arts that cheat the sense 
Hell and the world in bristling bands unite. 

Let a new order of affairs commence, 

For them revolving prosperous and bright. 

Let rain drop ; and. return Einaldo now, 

And Egypt's host arrive to crown his brow." 



254 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIII. 



LXXIV. 

He, speaking, niov'd His head ; wide Hear n around 

Shook with its stars, the fix'd and those that stray : 
Shook, too, the reverent air, and seas profound, 

The mountains and abysses hid from clay. 
Upon the left thunder was heard to sound, 

Was seen at the same time the lightning's ray : 
Accompanying the flashes and the thunder 
The people rais'd a shout of joy and wonder. 

LXXV. 

Lo sudden clouds and not from earth on high 

Drawn up by virtue of the solar ball, 
But swiftly falling downward from the sky, 

Which opens and unlocks its portals all : 
Lo night unlook'd for makes the day soon die 

Wrapt all around in an extended pall : 
Impetuous rain comes ; and the brook is fed 
So largely that it issues from its bed. 

LXXVI. 

As when in summer time there falls a store 
Of welcome rain from Heav'n after long lack, 

A troop of babbling ducks on the dry shore 

Glad wait its coming with hoarse murm'ring quack. 

And spread their wings to the cool skow'r, nor pour 
Keltic tantly the moisture o'er their back, 

And where 'tis gather' d in more copious pool, 

They dive and make their thirsty passion cool : 

LXXVII. 

Thus these with, loud salutes their joy attest 
At the boon rain which Heav'n in pity gave ; 

Each is delighted even o'er his vest 
To sprinkle it, and all his hair to lave. 

Some drink in glasses, some in helms, with zest ; 
Some hold the hand inimers'cl in the fresh wave : 

Some wet the face and some the temples o'er ■ 

Some prudent fill the vase for future store. 

LXXVIII. 

Xor cheerful only is the human race, 

And sweet relief from all its woes obtains ; 

But earth, so late in sad and languid case, 

And clov'n with Assures throughout all its plains, 

Gathers the rain in, and renews its face, 
And draws it to its most internal veins, 

And ministers the moisture's nourishing powers 

Unsparingly to plants and herbs and flower.-. 



CANTO XIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 255 

LXXIX. 

Such the sick maid, when vital balms appease 

Th' internal fever vexing her of late, 
And, chasing off the canse of that disease 

To which her members had been food and bait, 
Cheer and restore, and make her beauty please 

As much as in its fresh and palmy state ; 
So that forgetting all her sorrows dire, 
She dons her garlands and her glad attire. 

LXXX. 

Xow stops the rain • the sun relumes his light ; 

But darts a temperate and kindly ray 
Full of all vigor, such as cheers the sight 

'Twixt April's end and coming in of May. 
gentle faith ! who worships God aright 

Can chase from air each mortal harm away J 
Change all the seasons' order and their state, 
Subdue the rancour of the stars and fate. 



256 



CANTO XIV. 

ARGUMENT. 

Guelph for the good Binaldo's pardon prays 
According to what Hugo's ghost had shown; 

The pray'r so forcibly with Godfrey weighs 

That to Heav'n's pleasure he conforms his own. 

Then taught by Peter, who the path pourtrays, 
Two messengers seek where the knight has flown : 

To these a sage at last the skill imparts 

To conquer artfully Armida's arts. 

I. 

Forth issued from trie soft and freshen'd breast 

Of her great mother now the Mght obscure, 
Wafting along light breezes from the West 

And a large cloud of dewdrops rich and pure, 
And, shaking the moist border of her vest, 

Sprinkled them o'er the flow'rs on lawn and moor. 
And zephyrs, moving softly now and then 
Their wings of down, allur'd the sleep of men. 

ii. 
And these had bound in sweet oblivion's ties 

The varying thoughts which day is wont to raise : 
But wakeful amid light that never dies 

Th' Almighty sat to govern the world's maze, 
And on the Frankish Leader from the skies 

Look'd down with favorable and joyous gaze ; 
Then sent to him a quiet dream to be 
The revelation of His high decree. 

hi. 
Xear to the golden gates whence comes the sun 

A gate of crystal in the East is plac'd, 
Whose wont is ere the former are undone 

For burst of day to be flung back in haste. 
Through this go forth the dreams which God speeds on 

Propitious to the mind that's pure and chaste ; 
From this now that which down to Godfrey springs 
In flight distends tow'rd him its golden wings. 



CANTO XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 257 

IV. 

To none did nightly vision e'er supply 

Such winning images of love and grace, 
As this to him which open'd to his eye 

The secret of the Heav'n and stars in space ; 
'Whence e'en as in a glass he could descry 

That which is in them truly face to face : 
He seem'd translated to a fair serene 
Where myriad fires of gold aclorn'd the scene. 

v. 
"While in this lofty place he stay'd to' admire 

The lights, the movements, and the' harmonious frame, 
Lo, girt with rays of splendour, girt with fire, 

A cavalier to meet him slowly came ; 
And with a sound to which the sweetest lyre [claim : 

On earth had seem'd but hoarse, was heard to' ex- 
" Am I not welcome, Godfrey? wilt thou spend 
No word on Hugo ? know'st thou not thy friend ?" 

VI. 

And he replied to him : " That aspect new 

W^liich seems with sunbeams wonderfully crown'd, 

So from my mind its ancient lore withdrew 
That scarce e'en now that lore again is found." 

Then with a sweet affectionate zeal he threw 

His arms three times that knightly neck around ; 

And three times, girt in vain, did the' image fly 

Like a light dream, or vapour wandering by. 

VII. 

It smil'd and said : " I am not as thou'rt prone 
To think me, girt still with an earthly vest : 

Thou seest but simple form, bare spirit alone, 
In the' heav'nly city citizen and guest. 

This is God's temple: here the seats are strown [rest." 
Of His true knights ; 'mong whom shalt thou have 

" When," cried he, " shall this be? This mortal gear 

Loose now, if it prevent my resting here." 

VIII. 

Kesponded Hugo : " Soon shalt thou regain 
The glorious home of this triumphant band : 

But thou must first in war pour out like rain 
Both blood and sweat on yonder earthly strand. 

By thee, too, from the Pagans must be ta'en 
Ere then the empire of the Holy Land, 

In which thou shalt a Christian kingdom found, 

Where afterward thy brother must be crown'd. 

s 



2o8 TOBQUATO TASSO. canto xiv. 

IX. 

" But that tliou more nray'st quicken thy desires 
For Heavm above, look now where it reveals 

Those lucid dwellings, and those living fires, 

Which the' everlasting Mind informs and wheels ; 

And hark I the saintly syrens tune their lyres ; 
how the diapason sweetly peals !" 

Then said he, pointing where the earth stood clear ; 

" Look down on what is lock'd in that last sphere. 

x. 

" How vile the cause which is down yonder found 
Eeward and spin 1 to human enterprise ! 

In what a puny ring your pride is bound ! 
In what a naked solitude it lies ! 

The sea imprisons it like an isle around : 
And what ye name the ocean from its size 

Has nought which to that title can respond, 

But is a low marsh and a shallow pond." 

XI. 

So spake the one ; the other with a bland 

Contemptuous gaze look'd down on the low sphere \ 

For a mere point he saw seas, rivers, land, 
Which seem so perfectly distinguished here : 

And wonder' d how we foolish men could stand 
O'er shadows fix'd, o'er fumes which disappear ; 

Could seek for slavish pow'r, and fame but dumb, 

Xor mark how Heav'n invites and calls us home. 

XII. 

Whence he replied : " Since God then deems it meet 
That in this earthly prison I shall abide, 

Tell me, I pray, the road of least deceit 
Among the errors of yon world of pride." 

" That is the true way," said he, " which thy feet 
Have press'd till now ; thence turn not thou aside. 

All that I need advise thee to have done 

Is to recall from exile Bert old's son ; 

XIII. 

" Since if a lofty Providence chose thee 
Chief Captain for an enterprise so grand, 

He was appointed by the same decree 
Supreme executor of thy command. 

Thine is the first part ; his was fix'd to be 
The second : thou art head, and he the hand 

Of yonder camp ; to bear his office proud 

Xone else has pow'r, and thou art not allow'd. 



CANTO XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 259 

XIV. 

" He only can successfully attack 

The wood defended by yon sorceries ; 
From ni-m thy camp, which seems unlit through lack 

Of people for adventure of such size, 
And almost is compell'd to turn its back, 

Will gain more force for a new enterprise ; 
He will surmount the walls, although increas'd 
In strength, and rout the pow'rful host of the' East." 

xv. 
He ceas'd, and Godfrey said : " if the knight 

Were but return'd, how sweet were my content ! 
Ye, who perceive each thought withdrawn from light, 

Know if I love him, or untruth invent. 
But tell me whither, and with what aim, 'tis right 

The messenger who seeks him should be sent. 
Shall I beseech him, or command ? Declare 
How such an action can be right and fair ]" 

XVI. 

The other then replied : " Th' eternal King 

Who honors thee so highly every way, 
Would have those whom He plac'd beneath thy wing 

Still honor thee, and reverence, and obey : 
Then ask not, for perchance to ask the thing 

Were scarce consistent with th' imperial sway ; 
But yield when ask'd, and stoop to pardon soon 
Whenever others' pray'rs entreat the boon. 

xvn. 
" Guelph shall intreat thee (him shall God inspire) 

To' absolve the fiery youth from that sad wrong 
Which he fell into through excess of ire ; 

So that he shall re-seek the camp ere long, 
And his own fame. And though he now desire 

But ease afar, and list but to love's song, 
Yet doubt not that ere many days proceed 
He shall return in time for the grand need. 

XVIII. 

" Since Peter on whom Heaven has bestow'd 
The lofty knowledge of its high intent, 

Will know how to direct to the right road 
For certain news of him those who are sent : 

Which last too will be taught the arts and mode 
To set him free and lead him to thy tent. 

Thus Heav'n shall bring thine every wand'ring fere 

At last beneath the- holy banners here. 



260 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIV. 

XIX. 

" Now will I close my words with one brief sign, 

To which thou'lt listen as to boon of grace : 
His blood shall be commingled soon with thine, 

And thence shall spring a bright and glorions race." 
It ceas'd, and vanish'd like a vaponr fine, 

Or filmy clond which melts and leaves no trace ; 
And sleep, deserting him, left on his breast 
Mix'd feelings of amaze and joy impress'd. 

xx. 
The pions Bouillon opens then his eyes, 

And sees the day born and increasing fast ; 
"Whence he dismisses slumber and applies 

The armour to his limbs, a burden vast. 
And soon into his tent of ample size 

For wonted sojourn all the chiefs have pass'd 
To sit in council, what is wrought elsewhere 
Being usually before resolv'd on there. 

XXI. 

And here the noble Guelph whose bosom glow'd 
With the new thought infus'd into his mind, 

Beginning first the converse, in this mode 

Address'd the Chief : " clement Prince and kind, 

I come for pardon which will be bestow'd 
On fault still new (to this I am not blind) : 

Whence the request which I would fain procure 

May hasty seem, perchance, and immature. 

XXII. 

" But thinking that such pardon is desir'd 
From pious Godfrey for so brave a knight ; 

And that I, too, who have so far aspir'd, 
Am not an intercessor vile or light ; 

I deem the boon will quickly be acquir'd 

Which will fill every heart here with delight. 

Ah ! grant he may return and shed his blood 

To' amend his error for the public good. 

XXIII. 

" And who has, if not he, the spirit so great 
As to dare fell the plants which scare us all ? 

Who will go forth against the risks of fate 
With breast more constant, whatsoe'er befall 1 

Thou shalt behold him batter down the gate 

And dreadly shake, and foremost mount, the wall. 

Ah ! render to thy camp him we require, 

Him who is all its hope, and its desire. 



canto XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 261 

XXIV. 

'• To me a nephew, to thyself restore 

One brave and prompt to execute thine aim • 

Nor sutler him to bask on pleasure's shore, 
But render to him back again his fame. 

Let him attend thy conquering flag once more : 
Yield him the witness which his virtues claim : 

Let him do worthy deeds which all may see, 

And hail a master and a chief in thee." 

XXV. 

Thus pray'd he, and a favorable cry 

Follow'd upon the pray'r from all the rest ; 

Whence Godfrey then, as though he would apply 
His mind to theme ne'er mooted in his breast, 

Exclaim'd : " How can I possibly deny 
What all of you desire thus and request ? 

Let rigour yield, and reason and law be found 

In that which is the choice of all around. 

XXVI. 

" Einaldo may return : let him restrain 

Henceforth more wisely th' impulse of his ire ; 

And answer with his deeds to the' hopes which reign 
Eespecting him, and to the camp's desire. 

But thine 'tis, Guelph, to call him back again ; 
His steps, I deem, will tarry not, nor tire. 

Choose thou the messenger and point the road 

Thou think' st will lead to the brave youth's abode. 

XXVII. 

Then rose, and said the knight from Danish land : 

" I ask to be the messenger who goes : 
In order to present this honor' d brand 

I dread no length of way, no let from foes." 
This man is most robust of heart and hand, 

Whence gladly with his offer Guelph doth close : 
Him wills he to be one, and the' other who hies 
Be Ubald, a man wary skill'd and wise. 

XXVIII. 

LTbald had seen and search'd out in his youth 
All various customs, various lands and sights, 

Travelling to realms where heat reigns without ruth 
From the most frozen climes where winter bites, 

And, as one trafficking for sense and truth, 

Had learn'd their tongues, and usances, and rites ; 

Then in mature age was receiv'd by Guelph 

Among his friends, and cherish'd as himself. 



262 T0RQUAT0 TASSO. C A>TO XIV. 

XXIX. 

To these was giVn the honor to recall 

The lofty champion, task for them most meet : 

And Guelph directed them toward that wall 
Within whose ring is Boeniond's regal seat : 

Since public fame and the surmise of all 
Had pointed to this spot as his retreat. 

But the good Hermit, who their error sees, 

Xow enters and cuts short their words with these : 

XXX. 

" cavaliers, if ye will thus confide 

In cries which spring but from the vulgar brain. 
Ye will pursue a rash and faithless guide, 

Which will mislead and make you roam in vain. 
Now hie to where a river rolls its tide 

Neat Ascalon's broad shore into the main ; 
Here will ye find a man whom I love well : 
Him trust ; what he shall tell you, that I tell. 

XXXI. 

" He has himself much seen, much heard from me 
Of your illustrious voyage which I foreshow' d 

Long time ago ; I know that he will be 
Courteous as wise : such ever is his mode." 

Thus spake he, and Charles made no further plea, 
Not the' other chos'n companion of his road, 

But both obey'd the words which all opin'd 

Cod's Spirit was wont to dictate to his mind. 

XXXII. 

Then took they leave, and their desire gain'd force 
So mightily that they delay'd no more, 

But bent at once tow'rd Ascalon their course 
"Where the near sea impinges on the shore : 

And scarcely had they heard as yet the hoarse 
And curling breakers of the ocean roar, 

When they attain'd a stream whose waters stood 

Higher than wont, swoll'n bv a recent flood. 

O J V 

XXXIII. 

So that it could not keep within its bed, 
And, like an arrow, takes its nimble flight. 

Wliile in suspense they stay, with silvery head 
A venerable old man comes in sight, 

Crown' d with beech leaves, and in a robe which spread 
Profuse and long of linen pure and white : 

He waves a rod, and treads the river wide 

With feet unwet, and spans it 'gainst the tide. 



CANTO XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 263 

XXXIV. 

As, when the winter near the polar space 

Inwraps the rivers in its icy fold, 
Over the Ehine the rustic maidens trace 

In troops the gliding curve, securely bold ; 
So comes he now o'er the unstable base 

Of waters which are neither hard nor cold : 
And soon arrives where the two warriors gaze 
Intent upon his form, and then he says : 

xxxv. 
" Ye follow, friends, a quest where toils and pains 

Are rife, and much ye need a skilful guide ; 
Since on inhospitable and treach'rous plains 

Far off does he for whom ye seek abide. 
what a task for you there still remains ! 

"What shores have ye to cross, what oceans wide ! 
And e'en your searching must extend its bound 
Beyond the confines of this world around. 

XXXVI. 

" But deign to enter the secluded cave 
In which my safe abode is well conceal'd ; 

There shall ye hear from me of matters grave, 

There all which ye would know shall be reveal'd." 

He spake, and to the waves his bidding gave 
To let them pass ; the waves retire and yield, 

And, curl'd on this side, and on that, arise 

Like mountains, and between them a path lies. 

XXXVII. 

Into the inmost depths beneath the stream 

Taking them by the hand, he leads the twain. 

The light is there a weak and flickering gleam, 
Like that amid the woods from moons that wane. 

Yet see they ample caves, charg'd to th' extreme 
With waters from whence comes to us each vein 

Which leaps in fountains, or in river takes 

Its course, or stagnates, or expands in lakes. 

XXXVIII. 

And they can see from whence the Po is sped, 
Whence Ganges, Ister, and Euphrates glide, 

Hydaspes and the Tanais : and its head, 
Obscur'd so much, not Kile itself can hide. 

Still lower down a stream is found to spread 
Pure sulphur and quicksilver on each side : 

These then the sun refines and gently strains 

The pulp into white mass and golden veins. 



264 TORQUATO TASSO. CAJiTO XIV. 

XXXIX, 

And tliey behold all round the precious stream 
]\Iost costly stones upon the margin strew' d ; 

And hence, as lit by many a torch's gleam 

The spot shines forth, and darkness is subdued. 

Here, sparkling with a pure cerulean beam, 
The heav'nly sapphire and jacinth are view'd : 

There flames the ruby, there the diamond glows, 

And there fair emeralds laugh in glittering rows. 

XL. 

The knights astounded went ; and every thought 
Was so intent upon that strange display 

That they were mute. At last good Ubald sought 
Instruction from the escort of their way : 

'• father, tell us whither we are brought, 

And whither go ; and thine own state pourtray : 

Because I know not if I sleep or dream, 

Such wonder reigns within my heart supreme." 

XLI. 

He answer' d : " Te are in the womb immense 
Of earth which genders all ; and 'twere denied 

That ye should e'er have pierc'd into its dense 
And darksome bowels, were I not your guide. 

I lead you to my palace \ not far hence 

Lit with a wondrous radiance 'twill be spied. 

I was a Pagan born, but, thanks to Heaven, 

The holy font a second birth has given. 

XLII. 

" Nor think by virtue of the spirits of Hell 
My marvellous and artful works are done : 

Ah ! God forbid I should use fume or spell 
To force Cocytus dire or Phlegethon ! 

But on their traces I go searching well 

From herbs or founts what virtues may be won, 

And contemplate the other secrets deep 

Of Nature, and the stars where'er they sweep ; 

XLIII. 

" Because not always far from heav'nly light 

Mid subterranean cloisters do I stay ; 
But oft on Libanus and Carmel's height 

In airy mansion make a long delay. 
There Mars and Yenus offer to my sight 

Without a veil their every phase and ray ; 
And I see how the others wheel and race, 
Or swift or slow, with kind or tkreat'ning face. 



CANTO XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 265 

XLIV. 

u I see beneath my feet clouds, dense or rare, 

Xow darken'd, and now painted o'er with bows ; 

And rains and dews I note with busy care 

How form'd ; and how the wind obliquely blows ; 

How lightnings kindle, and what paths in air 
They tortuous take ere quench' d in dark repose : 

Comets I mark, and many another fire 

So near, that sometimes I myself admire. 

XLV. 

" So pleas'd was I with self that I could deem 
My knowledge the sure measure of the whole 

Which could be wrought by Nature's Lord supreme, 
Maker of earth and all the spheres that roll. 

But when your Peter hi the holy stream 

Sprinkled mine hair, and wash'd my spotted soul, 

He pointed my looks higher, and made me see 

How dark and short they in themselves must be. 

XLVI. 

" Then knew I that to the prime Truth our mind 

Is as the bird of darkness to the sun ; 
And at myself I laugh'd, and at the blind 

Delusions into which my pride had run. 
But still I follow, as His will design'd, 

The arts and uses which were thus begun : 
Other than what I was I me discern : 
For now I hang on Him, to Him I turn, 

XLVII. 

" In Him find rest. He bids and teaches too, 
Master at once and Lord supremely grand ; 

Nor by our means does He disdain to do 

Works worthy sometimes of His own right hand. 

Th' unconquer'd knight whom distant barriers mew 
Shall through my care soon reach the Syrian strand ; 

For He impos'd the task • and I have been 

Long waiting your approach, through Him foreseen." 

XL VIII. 

Thus parleying with them to the spot he came 
In which he had his home and his repose. 

This was in form a grot within whose frame 
Chambers and halls, spacious and grand, arose : 

And all which earth within its veins may claim 
Of glittering and of rich did it disclose ; 

And yet the noble structure was array' d 

With ornaments all native, and none made. 



266 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIV. 

XLTX. 

Xor want there troops of ministers who prepare 

To serve with speed the gnests whom they behold ; 

Not on the splendid board are wanting there 
Vases of silver, crystal, and pnre gold. 

But when their natural desire to share 

The rich repast was o'er, and thirst control'd, 

" 'Tis time," the wizard to the warriors said, 

" That your more large desire should now be fed." 

L. 

He then commenc'd : " Armida's deeds and lie-. 

In part at least, yourselves know well enough : 
How to the camp she came, and in what guise 

Entic'd so many knights, and led them off. 
Ye know that then with more tenacious ties 

She bound them, hostess bounteous but in scoff ; 
And sent them thence to Gaza under charge 
Of guards, and they midway were set at large. 

LI. 

" What next occurr'd there now I will pourtray. 

True tale of which as yet ye know no page. 
When the bad witch saw wrung from her the prey 

Which she had nianag'd with such art to' encage, 
She bit both hands for grief, and 'gan to say 

Within herself, inflam'd with scornful rage ; 
' Ah ! be it never true that he may boast 
Of having rescued from me such a host ! 

LIT. 

"/If he loos'd others, let him serve, and bear 
The pains reserv'd for them and the long woe. 

Xor this contents me : let the others share 
The general ill whose coming is not slow.' 

Thus speaking, she devises to prepare 

This wicked scheme which ye shall shortly know. 

She comes to where Einaldo met her train 

And vanquish' d it, and part of them were slain. 

LIII. 

" Here having laid aside his arms with haste 
He donn'd those of a Pagan which he found. 

Perchance because he wish'd to go untrac'd 
Under device less known and less renown' d. 

The Sorceress took the arms, and in them plac'd 
A headless trunk, and threw them on the ground 

Close to a river's bank tow'rd which would draw 

A troop of Pranks ere long, as she foresaw. 



CANTO XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 267 

LIV. 

" And this in truth she could foresee right well, 
For she has spies all round from whom is learn'd 

Xews often from the camp, and she can tell 
Who has departed last, and who return'd : 

Besides she parleys oft with spirits of Hell, 

And with them for long time has she sojourn'd. 

She plac'd the mangled corpse then in the part 

Most opportune for her deceitful art. 

LV. 

" A most sagacious page was hither led 

And station' d near, in pastoral robes array 'd. 

To him she taught what should be done or said 
With cunning fiction, and she was obey'd. 

He commun'd with your troop, and thus was spread 
The seed of that mistrust whence grew the blade 

And fruit of strifes and discords, which at last 

Almost to riot and rebellion pass'd. 

LVI. 

" For now Einaldo, just as she design'd, 

Through Godfrey was suppos'd to have been slain ; 

Although that wrong suspicion from each mind 
Was doff'd at last when truth began to reign. 

Such was Armida's artifice refin'd, 

The first she us'd, as I have made it plain. 

]S"ow shall ye also hear how she pursued 

Einaldo, and what afterward ensued. 

LVII. 

" She waits Einaldo with a hunter's guile 
Beside the ford. He comes to' Orontes' side, 

Just where its waters part to form an isle 
And reunited soon together glide. 

And on the bank a fair columnar pile 
He sees, and near it a small vessel tied. 

He stops at the white marble to behold 

Its finish' d work, and reads in lines of gold : 

LVIII. 

" ( thou, whoe'er thou art, whom chance or will 
Has now induc'd along these banks to stray, 

2sTo marvel of the East or West can thrill 
Thy soul like what this islet can display. 

If thou would'st view it, pass.' Incautious still, 
He soon is lur'd to cross the watery way : 

And since the bark is ample but for one, 

He quits his squires,- and ferries o'er alone. 



268 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIV. 

LIX. 

" Having arriv'd there, all around lie flings 
His glances, and yet nothing do they meet 

Save flow'rs and herbs and plants and grots and springs, 
Whence deems he all is an abusive cheat. 

But yet the spot so joyous is, and brings 
So much allurement, that he takes a seat, 

And then disarms his brow, and cools it there 

In the sweet breathings of the placid air. 

LX. 

" Mean while he startled as the river surg'd 

With a new sound ; thither he turn'd his eyes, 

And saw midway advancing, as if urg'd 
Ey its own self, a wave of larger size • 

And out of it some auburn hair emerg'd, 
And then a maiden's face was seen to rise ; 

Then neck and breast, until there stood reveal' d 

Half of her form ; the rest the waves conceal'd. 

LXI. 

" Thus from the floor of the nocturnal scene 
A nymph or Goddess rises with slow motion. 

This one, though Syren truly none, but e'en 
A magic sprite, yet shadow' d forth the notion 

Of those who once beside the shore Tyrrhene 
Dwelt mid the billows of the treacherous ocean : 

Nor was her voice less sweet than beauty fair, 

And thus she sang, and sooth'd the sky and air : 

LXIT. 

" l youths, while yet your April and your May 
Clothe you with flow'rs and leaves which are not sere, 

Ah ! let not fame's nor virtue's treacherous ray 
Engross your tender soul in its career. 

Sole wise is he who says not pleasure nay, 
And plucks when ripe the fruit of every year. 

This Nature cries. Will ye then steel your mind 

Against her dictates which are ever kind ] 

LXIII. 

" ' Insane, why throw away the precious prize 
Of tender age which scarce survives its birth ? 

Mere names and idols, unsubstantial lies, 

Are what the world has nam'd renown and worth. 

The fame which makes so sweet a music rise 

In proud men's hearts, and shines so fairly forth, 

An echo is, a dream, a shadow frail, 

Which vanishes and flies at every gale. 



CANTO XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 269 

LXIV. 

" i Secure indulge the body, and let the soul 
Sate the frail sense in objects calm and fair, 

Forget past ills, nor hasten its own dole 
By pond'ring on anticipated care. 

Though Heav'n flash lightning, and its thunder roll, 
Let it threat on, and all its darts prepare. 

This is true knowledge • this is life indeed ; 

Thus Mature teaches, and thus bids us read.' 

LXV. 

" So sings that impious one, and lulls to sleep 
The youth with her most sweet and artful strain. 

O'er every sense that sleep begins to creep 
By slow degrees and fixes firm its reign : 

Kor could the very thunders make him leap 
From that repose where death is imag'd plain. 

Out of her ambush then the false witch wends, 

And o'er him, eager for revenge, she bends. 

LXVI. 

" But when she sees him without fear or guile 

Breathing so tranquilly there all alone, 
And marks his lovely eyes which seem to smile 

Though clos'd, ah ! what if their full orb were shown 1 
She stops, suspense, and in a little while 

Sits near him, and feels all her anger flown 
While gazing ; and as o'er that lovely look 
She hangs her, seems Narcissus at the brook. 

LXVII. 

" And she receiv'd the living dews that came 
Over his brows upon her veil's fine fold, 

And with a gentle fanning help'd to tame 

The summer heat which else were uncontroll'd. 

Thus (who will credit it V) the sleeping flame 
From hidden eyes melted away the cold 

Which in her heart had harden' d more than stone, 

And foe no more, a lover has she grown. 

LXVIII. 

" Of woodbines and of lilies and of roses, 

Which flourish all throughout those pleasant plains, 

Blended with novel art she then composes 
Her flexible but most tenacious chains : 

In these neck, arms, and feet she then incloses, 
And thus secures her prisoner and retains. 

Then while he sleeps she has him borne to lie 

Upon her car, and .swiftly cleaves the sky. 



270 TORQUATO TASSO. CAXTO XI v. 

LXIX. 

" Xor bends she tow'rd Damascus her career, 
Xor to her castle plac'd amid the tides ; 

But jealous of a pledge become so dear, 
Asham'd too of her love, herself she hides 

In the deep ocean whither seldom steer, 
Or never, any barks from our sea-sides, 

Past all our coasts ; and here, her chos'n domain 

And lone retreat, an isle is on the main ; 

LXX. 

" An isle on which with other isles in sight 
A name deriv'd from Fortune has been laid. 

In this she climbs up a steep mountain's height 
Unpeopled, and obscure, and dark with shade : 

And covers o'er with snow by magic sleight 
Its sides and shoulders, and its head is made, 

Encumber'd with no snow, all green and fair, 

And near a lake she founds a palace there, 

LXXI. 

" \Yhere her belov'd one in perpetual spring 
Now leads with her a life of love and joy. 

From goal so far and secret must ye bring 
Back to the camp the long-misguided boy ; 

And foil the oorards whom round the mountain's ring, 
And near her roof, her jealous fears employ : 

Nor shall ye lack for the grand task a guide, 

Xor one by whom fit arms shall be supplied. 

LXXII. 

" Ye'll find, when ye re-pass the stream but now, 
A maiden young in looks, yet old in years, - 

Known by long ringlets curling on her brow, 
And various tint which on her robe appears. 

With her the depth of ocean shall ye plough 
Swifter than eagle on the wing careers, 

Or flies the thunderbolt ; nor will she be 

Less faithful guide when ye re-cross the sea. 

LXXIII. 

" At the mount's foot beneath the witch's lair, 
Xew Pythons hissing will be seen to glide, 

And boars to raise then backs with horrid hair, 
And bears and lions open the mouth wide ; 

But when ye shake this rod of mine in air, 
Where'er it sounds, they will retire and hide. 

Then greater far, if truth be weigh'd aright, 

Will be the peril on the mountain height. 



CANTO XIV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 271 

LXXIV. 

" A fountain rises there so fair and pure 
That all grow thirsty who behold it play ; 

But in its cooling crystals an obscure 
And execrable venom lurks alway ; 

For e'en the smallest draught of it is sure 
To' intoxicate the heart, and make it gay : 

Then laughter is induc'd ; and this will rise 

At last to such a pitch, that the man dies. 

LXXV. 

" Let your disdainful mouth at once disown 

Those deadly waters, and afar retreat ; 
Xor be entic'd then by the viands strown 

On verdant banks ; nor for one moment greet 
The treacherous maids whose soft and nattering tone, 

And mien that smiles and woos, are all deceit. 
But mind that ye despise their skilful baits 
Of glance and word, and enter the tall gates. 

LXXVI. 

" Within, inextricable walls arise, 

And in a thousand curves confus'dly wind, 

But this brief chart I give you shall apprise 
Of every cheat that can mislead or blind. 

In the mid labyrinth a garden lies, 

Whose very leaves breathe love into the mind : 

Here "bosom* d on the freshest herbage green 

The cavalier and maiden will be seen. 

LXXVII. 

* But when abandoning her lover dear 

She shall have turn'd her to some other place, 

Then must ye show yourselves to him, and rear 
The adamant shield I give you to his face ; 

So that he may behold his image clear, 

And the soft dress which wraps him in its lace : 

That at such sight shame and disdain may wrest 

His most unworthy passion from his breast. 

LXXVIII. 

" Xo other thing remains which need be told 
Save that ye may with confidence proceed, 

And penetrate each inmost turn and fold 
Of that abode, from every hindrance freed : 

Because no force of magic can withhold 

Your footsteps, nor at all retard your speed ; 

Xor even shall Armida's art foresee 

Your coming, of such pow'r your guide shall be. 



272 '.VAT- TAS8 ). ;,\:o x:v. 

LXXIX. 

•• Nor less securely shall ye quit the pests 

Of her retreat, and homeward speed aright. 
But now the hour is come when IV. fcui .- rests; 

And ye must rise to-mco: : the light." 

Thus spake he to them : and then led his guests 

Where they might make their - : : )urn for the night. 
There, leaving them rejoic'd yet thoughtful I 
The good old man to his repose withdrew. 



273 



CANTO XV. 

ARGUMENT. 

When the brave pair of messengers have scann'd 
The notes and counsels of that good man old, 

Under the wond'rous pilot's skill' d command 
O'er waves and perils is their shallop roll'd. 

But heap'd already on the shore and sand 
TV Egyptian tents and vessels they behold ; 

Then, having cross' d, with well-arm' d breast advance, 

Spite of the wild beast and the winning glance. 

I. 

Already the first ray, serene and fair, 

Had calTd to toil each creature of the field, 
When the sage coming to the knightly pair 

Brought them the golden rod, the chart, and shield. 
" For the grand voyage," he exclaim'd, " prepare, 

Ere day which dawns e'en now he more reveal' d : 
Lo, here is what I promis'd you last night, 
And what will overcome all magic sleight." 

II. 
Already had they ris'n, already brac'd 

Their armour on the vigorous limb and breast ; 
Hence along paths uncheer'd by day with haste 

They follow'd the old man : and now they press'd, 
Returning, the same track o'er which they pac'd 

At first on coming to that place of rest. 
But when they had attain'd his river's bed, 
" Adieu, go prosper, friends !" the old man said. 

in. 
The stream receiv'd them where it deeply sank, 

And gently thrusting, made them upward glide, 
As it is wont to raise light bough or plank 

Which force has push'd far down into its tide : 
It left them then upon the grassy bank. 

Hence they beheld th' already promis'd guide : 
They mark'd a pinnace ; and the fatal maid 
Who was to' escort them at the rudder stay'd. 

T 



274 :.l"ATO TASSO. 'CASTO XT. 

IV. 

n her foreliead graceful curls are seen. 

And courteous, kind, and tranquil is her gaze : 
And she resembles angels in her mien, 

Such sparkling light illumes her with its rays. 
Her re he seems azure new. and now 'tis green. 

Xuw vermeil, tinted in a thousand wavs : 
"Whence one perceives her of a different hue 
How oft soever one returns to view. 

v. 
Thus does the plumage which surrounds the tame 

And amorous dove's neck with eoruseant scheme 
Not for one moment show itself the same. 

But takes all colours in the solar beam : 
Xow like a necklace in which rubies harm. 

Xow in a light where verdant emeralds deam : 
lEow mingling every hue diverse and bright. 
It pleases in a hundred ways the sight. 

v;. 
" Enter." sEe sr.id. " v- Eo > E: of mine 

TTith which secure I cross the hillowy road. 
Tc» which all "breezes blow with ibv;uriv^ smm 

AE storms are calm, and 1EE: is everv E 
To serve and guide yon has my Lord divine 

Sped me with haste : to Him this grace is oVd." 
Thus spoke the maid : then neare: ' uE 

She made the curving pine present its hank. 

vti. 
Soon as it has receiv'd the noble pair. 

She thrusts the shore, and lets the cable slack. 
And hawing loosbl the sad to the light air. 

She seats her at the helm, and rules the track. 
The torrent is so swoiln that i: wvEEl bear 

The largest burdens now upon its hack : 
But this >ne is so slight that stream less great 
Erom r-ient mcisture wculd upheld its weight. 

Swift beyond nature- use the breezes urge 

The bounding hark err tew'rd Em salmsea she-re : 
The waters become white with Eearv sur^e. 

And deft behind how musical theii roar! 
Lo new they reach where, as the banks diverge, 

T^z e ur rents race more calmly than before; 
Arm. spread in the broad vortex of the sea, 
Are Lost at last, or so appear to be. 



CANTO XV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 275 

IX. 

Scarce had the wond'rous bark arriv'd to brave 

The ocean's fringe, then stormy to the view. 
Ere disappear'd the gloom and ceas'd to rave 

The blast presag'd from clouds of sombre hue : 
The sweet air levels down the mountainous wave, 

And only curls the bosom of the blue : 
And Heav'n, which ne'er beheld itself more clear, 
Is laughing with a sweetly tranquil cheer. 

x. 
The pinnace ran by Ascalon, and pass'd 

Leftward towards the west : and soon was found 
Xear to that Gaza's walls careering fast 

Which was the port of Gaza once renown'd : 
But, on this other's ruin, growing vast 

Eecame a city whose pow'r stretch'd far around : 
And on its shores were now observ'd to stand 
Almost as many men as grains of sand. 

XI. 

The mariners turn'd their glances to the land, 
And saw tall tents arise, a countless store : 

They mark'd both horse and foot in many a band 
Go and return from city to the shore ; 

By laden camels, too, and elephants grand, 

The sandy path was press' d, and trampled o'er. 

Then saw they vessels move from port, and ride 

At anchor in its gulf profound and wide. 

XII. 

Some spread the sail, and others, nimble and fleet, 
Employ'd the oar, and mov'd along with grace ; 

And oars and prows smote on the watery sheet 
Until it foam'd in almost every place. 

Then said the maiden : " Although thus replete 
Be shore and sea with yonder felon race, 

Yet is e'en now the pow'rful tyrant far 

From having gather'd all his troops of war. 

XIII.- 

■' These are from Egypt only, and countries near : 
He waits now till the distant ones are sent ; 

Eor tow'rd the east and south far o'er the sphere 
His mighty empire stretches in extent. 

So that I hope to finish our career 

And back return, ere he shall move a tent : 

He, or the person who shall fill the post 

Instead of him of Captain o'er the host." 



27b TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XV. 

XIV. 

While speaking, as the eagle is wont to fly 

Mid other fowl securely through the air, 
And soaring tow'rd the sun mounts up so high 

That no man's sight can catch it in the glare : 
Thus does her little vessel seem to ply 

'Twixt ship and ship ; and has no fear nor care 
Lest any should arrest it or pursue, 
And speeds afar from them and quits their view. 

xv. 
And instantly to Raffia have they flown, 

A Syrian city which to those who steer 
From Egypt appears first : thence to the lone 

And barren shore they come of Ehinocere. 
And then not distant far a mountain cone 

Is seen o'er sea its haughty locks to rear, 
And bathes its foot on the unstable wave, 
And Pompey's bones have in its breast a grave. 

XVI. 

They view Damietta then ; and how the Mle 

Pours through its seven fam'd channels without pause 

Rich tribute to the sea, and adds the while 
More through a hundred other minor jaws : 

And on they sail beyond the citied pile 

Founded by the brave Greek with Grecian laws ; 

And beyond Pharos, known of old to stand 

An isle far off, now join'd to the main land. 

XVII. 

Far tow'rd the pole are left both Rhodes and Crete, 
Then coast they Afric, which near ocean's bed 

Is till'd and fruitful, but within replete 

With only barren sands and monsters dread. 

Past Marmarique they hail Cyrene's seat, 
Once honor'd by five cities as their head. 

Here Ptolemais lies ; then they behold 

Lethe's calm waves, renown'd in fables old. 

XVIII. 

The larger Syrtes, which the seaman flies, 

Being left near shore, far tow'rd the deep they go, 

And see behind them Cape Judecca rise, 
And into ocean mark the Magra flow. 

Now Tripoli decks the coast, and Malta lies 
Hid opposite among the waves, and low : 

Then at the other Syrtes' back they spy 

Alzerbe, erst home of the Lotophagi. 



CANTO XV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 2 < / 

XIX. 

Then Tunis on a cnrv'd bay comes in view, 

With mountain flanking the bay's either shore ; 
Tunis, rich honor'd seat, than which but few 

Or none has Lybia celebrated more. 
< )pposite Sicily crowns the waters blue, 

And the grand heights of Lilybseum soar. 
Xow thence to the two knights the maiden shows 
The spot where Carthage formerly arose. 

xx. 
Carthage is fallen : scarce can the' eye survey 

A trace on shore of all its ruin wide. 
Cities and kingdoms pass into decay, 

And sand and grass conceal their pomp and pride : 
Yet man disdains to be of mortal clay. 

What haughty longings in our mind reside ! 
Xext comes Eiserta, and with onward flight 
They have Sardinia's isle upon the right. 

XXI. 

Past the Xuniidian plains the bark then ran, 
Where wand'ring men led pastoral lives of yore, 

Past Bugia and Algiers both under ban 

As corsair's nests, and Oran's onward shore : 

Then skirted they the coasts of Tintigan, 
Where elephants abound, and lions roar, 

Where now Morocco's realm, and Fez, are spread ; 

And past Granada's opposite domes they sped. 

XXII. 

Xow flows the sea with land on either flank, 
Huge way which Hercules was feign'd to hew ; 

And once, perchance, a long continuous bank 
Was there, which some deep ruin cleft in two. 

There ocean forc'd its way : and Abila shrank 
To this side and to the' other Calpe drew ; 

Lybia and Spain were reft by narrow sluice. 

Such mighty change can lapse of time produce ! 

XXIII. 

Four times the sun had in the East appear'd 

Since first the bark had left the shore's retreat ; 

Yet ne'er, nor need requir'd, to port had steer'd 

Though such a lengthen'd course was now complete. 

Ent'ring the short strait now, so quickly clear'd, 
It gulfs itself where endless billows beat. 

If here, where lock'd in shores, the sea be grand, 

What is 't where it embosoms all the land % 



278 TOBjQUATO TASSO. STO XV. 

Among the lefty waves e'en n:~ are l;s: 

Rich Cadiz, and the other two so nigh. 
All lands are left behind, and every coast ; 

The sky bounds ocean, ocean bounds the sky. 
Then TTbald said : " O maiden, who bestow'st 

Thy guidance o'er this boundless main, reply, 
Have others e'er been here, and are there found 
Habitants in the world to which we' are bound! " 

xxv. 
She answers : " Her files, ^hrii his right ha:t;I 

Had slain the brutes : Ly bia and of Spain, 
An 1 had o'errun and conquer'd all your land, 

Dar'd not attempt the dangers of the main. 
He niark'd the bounds, and in too narrowly spann'd 

A cloister human wit did he restrain : 
Those marks of his, Ulysses, urgM by vast 
Desire to see and know, despis'd and pass'd. 

XXVL 

" He pass'd the Columns in his bark nor quail'd 
To' attempt the open sea with oary speed ; 

But him no skill among the waves avail'd, 
For he was swallowed up by ocean's greed ; 

And with his body there fies also veil'd 

His grand mischance, which now ye scarcely heed. 

If winds e'er drave out others o'er these waves, 

They came not back, or found here watery graves. 

XXVTL 

" Thus the grand tides we plough are all unknown ; 
A thousand unknown isles and realms they hide ; 

The lands are fertile, too, as are your own, 

And habitants upon the soil reside. 
This last is rich, nor can the virtue strown 

By solar beam unfruitful e'er abide." 
u Tell me," said TJbald then without a pause, 

What cult this hidden world adopts, what laws ! n 
xxv:::. 
^Le answer' d Lin : " In livers t rets ::e:;dl 

I'iversities of nsrs. t::ige;es. and rit-s. 
Some worship beasts, some the great mother of all, 

And some the sun and all the lesser lights. 
There are who feast on viands that appal 

With cruel and unnatural appetites. 
In short as hence from Galpe we recede, 
All are of barbarous modes, of impious creed." 



CANTO XV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 279 

XXIX. 

" And will that God," replied the cavalier, 

" Who came down to illnme this earthly chart, 

Suffer no ray of truth then to appear 

In this of the whole world so large a part % " 

" Yes," she replied : " the faith of Peter here 
Shall flourish soon, and every civil art. 

Xor shall it he that the long way shall sever 

These races of the West from your's for ever. 

XXX. 

" Soon shall industrious mariners despise, 

As merest fable, Hercules his bound ; 
And seas now nameless, and each realm that lies 

Unknown shall e'en with you become renown' d. 
Yes! the most gallant of all argosies 

Shall gird and search whate'er the sea girds round ; 
And o'er the globe, tremendous mass, shall run 
Victoriou sand the rival of the sun. 

XXXI. 

" A Genoese shall be the first to' explore 

With daring heart the course unknown and wide. 

Nor shall the threat'ning wind's tempestuous roar, 
Nor seas inhospitable, nor clime untried, 

Nor aught of perilous and of dreadful more 
Which any among men have yet defied, 

Make one so generous calm his soul elate 

Inside of Abila's forbidden strait. 

XXXII. 

" Columbus, thou shalt spread thy favour'd sail 
On tow'rd a pole so far remov'd from sight, 

That Fame with myriad eyes and plumes shall fail . 
Almost to follow with those eyes thy flight. 

Bacchus and Hercules still grace her tale ; 
Of thee as yet her tidings may be slight : 

But these though slight will yield a memory long 

Most worthy both of history and of song." 

XXXIII. 

She spake ; and westward made the vessel run 

O'er billowy paths, and tow'rd the south she bent ; 

And o'er against them setting fell the sun, 
And shone behind them on its re-ascent. 

And just as fair Aurora had begun 

To sow the rays and dews around, intent 

They look'd afar, and saw a mountain shroud 

Its lofty forehead in a wreath of cloud. 






TORQUATO TASSO. canto XT. 

XXXIV. 

And they perceiv'd it, as they drew more nigh 
And it had wholly lost its cloudy vest, 

Resembling a sharp cone athwart the sky. 

Large in the midst, and tine toward the crest : 

And it appear d to send up smoke on high. 
Like the' one upon Euceladus his breast ; 

Whose nature 'tis to smoke while day is bright. 

And then illume the skies with flames at night. 

XXXV. 

Lo other isles together, and they came 

To other slopes at last, less steep and tall ; 

These were the Happy Islands, by which name 
The former age had been induc'd to call 

A group so favour'd by the skies (thus fame 

Made men believe) that here the lands would all 

Bring forth spontaneous, and without the plough, 

And vines untilTd yield sweeter fruits than now, 

XXX VI. 

Here olive blossoms did not vainly teem. 

Here honey dropp'd out from the hollow VI ash 
And down from every mountain hied the stream 

With sparkling water and with miu-murmg plash : 
And breeze and dew so temper'd the sunbeam 

That none here ever feard its fervent lash : 
Here were th' Elysian Fields : and here arose 
The famous homes where blessed souls repose. 

XXXVII. 

To these the maiden came : " And now." she cried. 

" Your journey's end will not be long deferrd. 
These are the Isles of Fortune at our side. 

Whose great but doubtful fame ye must have heard. 
With every wealth and charm are they supplied, 

But o'er the truth is much of falsehood slurr'd." 
While she was speaking thus, she swiftly near'd 
The one which foremost of the ten appear'd. 

XXXVIII. 

Then Charles began : " If it will not impede 

The grand adventure, maiden, which thou show'st. 

Let me debark awhile here and proceed 

To see these unknown shores, to see the host 

Of habitants, the method of their creed, 
And all which a wise man will envy most 

When it shall please me to narrate elsewhere 

What I saw new, and say that I was there." 



CANTO xv. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 281 

XXXIX. 

She answer'd : " The demand is worthy thee ; 

But what can I, or how so far aspire, 
If the inviolable and severe decree 

Of Heav'n he adverse to thy fair desire 1 
For yet the space which God ordains to flee 

Ere grand discov'ry come is not entire ; 
Nor may ye bring o'er ocean's deep abyss 
To your own world true knowledge home from this. 

XL. 

" To you through grace, beyond the use and art 
Of mariners, 'tis given to cross this tide \ 

And there debark where the knight's chain'd apart, 
And bring him back to the world's other side. 

Let this suffice ; on more to set thine heart 

Were to contend with fate through human pride." 

Here ceas'd she, and already the first isle 

3 m'd lower, and the second rose the while. 

XLI. 

She shows them how the group to eastward stands, 
Extending forth in one long order'd line ; 

And that betwixt each pair of them expands 
An almost equal space of billowy brine. 

In seven they see the homes and cultur'd lands 
Of dwellers there, and many another sign : 

Three lie deserted, and in rocks and fens 

Wild beasts have there the safest of all dens. 

XLIl. 

A spot in one of these three one descries 
Where the shore curves itself in such a sort 

That two long horns emerge, and midway lies 
A rock which, making of the gulf a port, 

Turns its front inward, while its back defies 

The outward waves and cleaves them as in sport. 

Two crags, on this side and on that one, soar, 

Signals to mariners far out from shore. 

XLIII. 

Below them hush'd reclines the guarded wave : 
Above, the scene is dark with gloomy trees : 

And in the midst of them there lies a cave 
Where ivy shades and crystal waters please. 

Here cable ne'er was tied, nor anchor drave 
Its tooth to rein the bark against the breeze. 

Enter'd the maid this spot so calm and lone, 

And gather'd in the- sails which had been strown. 



282 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XV. 

XLIV. 

"Behold," she said then, " on that mountain's breast 
The lofty mass tow'rd which your eyes are sweeping : 

There amid feasting, leisure, tale, and jest, 

The champion of the Christian faith is sleeping. 

Up yonder steep your path shall be address' d 

Soon as the sun once more from the' East is leaping : 

Nor vex at the delay : each hour, I know, 

Save that of morn would augur only woe. 

XLV. 

" Well with the daylight which will yet ensue 
Ye may pass onward to the mountain's base." 

They having bid their noble guide adieu, 
Along the wish'd-for shore began to pace ; 

And found the path so easy, and so new, 
That of fatigue they felt not e'en a trace : 

And when they reach'd their journey's end, the car 

Of Phoebus linger' d still from ocean far. 

XLVI. 

They see that over crag, through ruin bare 

They must ascend those heights that proudly tower : 

And that the paths are scatter' d every where 

With snows and frosts ; and then come herb and 

Near to the hoary chin the verdant hair [flower. 

Shoots forth, and ice appears to have no power 

O'er tender rose and lily : magic spell 

E'en against nature can succeed so well. 

XLVII. 

A lone wild darkly-shaded spot at night, 

Close to the mountain's foot, the warriors choose ; 

And when the sun, eternal fount of light, 
Begins to streak the skies with golden hues, 

"Up, up !" both cry, and full of hope and might 
Begin their journey through the morning dews, 

But, whence I know not, came athwart their path, 

Speckled and fierce, a serpent hissing wrath. 

XLVIII. 

Its crest and head inscal'd with squalid gold 
Are lifted, and its neck is swoll'n with ire : 

Its eyes dart flames, beneath its belly cold 

The paths are hid, it breathes out poison and fire ; 

Xow enters it itself \ now forward roll'd 
After itself, it spreads the knotty spire. 

Thus it appears on its accustom' d guard ; 

Nor yet the warriors' steps does it retard. 



CANTO XT. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 283 

XLIX. 

Charles with the sword at once attacks the snake : 
But th' other cries : " Hold, hold ! what folly is this ? 

By force of hand, with weapons of such make, 
Think'st thou the guardian serpent to dismiss T' 

Then gives he to his golden wand a shake 
So that the speckled monster hears it hiss ; 

And, flying swiftly from the dreaded sound, 

Leaves the pass free, and cow'rs upon the ground. 

L. 

To stop them next they see a lion roll 

His savage eyes ; he roars, unsheathes his claws, 

Erects his locks, and opes and shows the whole 
Tremendous gulf of his voracious jaws, 

And lashing with his tail inflames his soul. 
But when the rod is shown, he makes a pause, 

For secret terror freezes in him quite 

All native courage, and he takes to flight. 

LI. 

Still onward swiftly move the knightly pair. 

But warlike animals, a dreadful host, 
Varying in voice, in motions, and in air, 

Eise up before them to defend the post. 
All wild and monstrous things that have their lair 

'Twixt Nile and where the Atlas bounds the coast, 
Seem here collected, and whatever broods 
Hercynia rears, or dark Hyrcanian woods. 

LII. 

But yet so vast and savage an array 

Thrusts them not back, nor even keeps its ground ; 
Yea, miracle unheard of, flies away 

For momentary sight and trifling sound. 
The two victorious thus in every fray 

Surmount the height, nor further lets are found \ 
Excepting that the rugged ways impede 
With cold and steepness, and retard their speed. 

LIII. 

But after they had travers'd o'er the snows, 

And clomb the rough steep with laborious pain, 

They found a fair sweet climate at the close, 
And on the mount the broad and open plain. 

Here breezes, fresh and scented like the rose, 
Are breathing forth with no uncertain strain ; 

For not as elsewhere does the orb of day, 

Wheeling around here, wake them or allay ; 



284 TORQUATO TASSO. canto xy. 

LIV. 

Nor reign here cold and heat alternate pow'rs, 
Xor first the cloud, and then the clear one sees : 

But still the skies inwrapt throughout all hours 
In purest splendour neither flame nor freeze, 

And rear for meads their herbs, for herbs their flow'rs, 
For flow'rs their scent, eternal shade for trees. 

The gorgeous palace on the lake is found, 

And lords it o'er the hills and seas around. 

LV. 

The knights felt somewhat wearied by th' ascent, 
So lofty and so rough, which they had made : 

Hence slowly through that flowery path they went, 
And now they mov'd their steps, and now they stay'd : 

"When lo ! a fount which ask'd them to content 
Their thirsty lips fell down in a cascade, 

Whose one large vein and myriad jets of spray 

Sprinkled with drops the herbage on its way. 

LVI. 

But soon united all its waters glide 

In a profound canal mid banks of green ; 

And while the trees o'er arch them from each side, 
Hie murmuring cold and sombre through the scene, 

But so transparent that they do not hide 
One beauty of their bed distinctly seen : 

And on the banks the herbage mounts aloft, 

And makes a seat there ever fresh and soft. 

LVII. 

" Lo here the stream of laughter hies along, 
Lo here the fount so full of perilous spite. 

Now must we rein well our desire though strong, 
And cautious be to the' utmost of our might. 

Close we our ears to the sweet guilty song 
Of these fallacious Syrens of delight." 

Thus went they till they saw the river take 

More broad and graceful sweeps, and form a lake. 

LVIII. 

And here a board of viands rich and dear 
Is spread beside the bank upon the mead ; 

And merrily playing through the water clear 
Two garrulous and wanton damsels speed, 

Who sprinkle faces now, and now appear 

To strive which first shall reach a mark agreed : 

And then they dive ; and then their head and back 

Emerge at last after the hidden track. 



CANTO XV. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. ZOO 

LIX. 

The swimmers in their naked beauty dress'd 

Mov'd somewhat the knights' bosoms although rude, 

So that they stopp'd to look at them : the jest 
And every winning way these yet pursued. 

Meanwhile one rais'd herself and show'd her breast 
And all of that by which the sight is woo'd 

From the waist upward in the open air ; 

Her other limbs the lake veil'd softly there. 

LX. 

As issues from the wave the star of morn 
Dewy and dripping ; or as from the spray 

Of teeming ocean burst, when newly born, 
The Goddess of Delight, as fables say : 

Thus does she seem ; thus crystal drops adorn 
Her auburn hairs and down her shoulder stray. 

She next look'd round, and feigning then to see 

Those two for the first time, shrank bashfully : 

LXI. 

And downward from her head at once she threw 
The hair which in a single knot she wore ; 

And rob'd with long thick locks of golden hue 
The yielding ivory which was seen before. 

what a lovely sight was lost to view ! 
But not less lovely Avas what veil'd it o'er. 

Thus hidden by the waters and her hair, 

She turn'd to them with glad and bashful air. 

LXII. 

She smil'd and blush'd at once ; the smile was shown 
Amid the blush with more exceeding grace, 

And mid the smile the blush, now richly strown 
E'en to her chin o'er all her delicate face. 

Then spake she in so sweet and kind a tone 
As would have won all others in their place. 

" happy pilgrims ye, allow'd to come 

To this felicitous and tranquil home ! 

LXIII. 

" This is the haven of the world • here rest 
From all its cares is found ; and here behold 

That pleasure which an ancient race possess' d 
Without restriction in the age of gold. 

Your arms, till now perchance a needful vest, 
Henceforth ye may put off, securely bold, 

And hallow them to quiet in this grove • 

For here ye shall be champions but of Love ; 



286 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XV. 

LXIV< 

" A bed of flow'rs cull'd in the softening dew 
Shall be the battle-field whereon ye fight. 

We'll lead you to our lady, royal and true. 
Who gives all bliss for service that is slight ; 

And she -will add you to the chosen few 

Whom she has destin'd for her own delight : 

But wash away the dust first in this flood, 

And at this table deign to taste of food." 

LXV. 

So spake the one ; the' other concordant still 
Accompanied the words with acts and glances, 

As when one to the sound' of chords with skill 
Swiftly sometimes, and sometimes slowly, dances. 

Eut the knights have their bosoms deaf and chill 
To all their false and treacherous advances ; 

And the persuasive look and the sweet tone 

Remain outside, and soothe the sense alone. 

LXVI. 

And if such sweetness ever be intruded 
Where it can generate the least desire, 

Soon reason, in its armour safe included, 
Roots out and carves away the nascent fire. 

One pair remain there vanquish'd and deluded ; 
The other without taking leave retire. 

These sought the palace : in the water these 

Div'd down ; so much did their repulse displease. 



287 



CANTO XVI. 

ARGUMENT. 

See here Armida's gardens, see remain 

The gallant youth, immers'd in soft delight : 

But see him loosen' d from that impious chain, 
And taking from those charmed gates his flight, 

The Sorceress, that her prize she may retain, 
Implores, allures, and threats in varied plight : 

But nothing gains ; hence fierce her passions glow, 

Her palace melts in smoke, herself in woe. 

I. 

The glittering pile is round ; and most recluse 

Within its bosom where the centre is found, 
A garden lies adorn'd beyond the use 

Of all which ever flourished most renown'd. 
Demon artificers had rais'd abstruse 

And trackless colonnades there all around ; 
And, girded by that treacherous array 
( )f paths oblique, impenetrable it lay. 

ii. 
Straight through the larger entrance on they went, 

Although a hundred op'd in that vast hold. 
Here gates of richly sculptur'd silver leant 

On creaking hinges of relucent gold. 
They stopp'd a^ the carv'd shapes with looks intent, 

For here the work more than the metal told. 
They lack but speech, else were they living quite ; 
Xor lack e'en this, if thou believe thy sight. 

in. 
Behold, amid Masonian handmaids here 

Alcides prates, and at the distaff toils ; 
And though he vanquished Hell, and pois'd the sphere, 

Now twirls the spindle : Love looks on and smiles. 
Mark Iole with feeble hand uprear 

His homicidal arms with jesting wiles ; 
The lion's hide is on her back, and seems 
Too rouo;h a burden for such tender limbs. 



'2bS TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVI. 

IV. 

A sea is opposite • its azure main 

Foaming with hoaiy waves ye must admire : 
Lo drawn up in the midst a double train 

Of ships and arms ; the arms yield sparks of fire : 
The waves flash gold ; and all Leucate's chain 

Of hills appear to glow with battailous ire. 
Augustus leads the Eomans here ; and, lo ! 
There Antony the East against his foe. 

v. 
Ye'd say the Cyclades uptorn must float 

Along the waves, and rock with rock must jar, 
So vast the impulse with which one side smote 

The other with its tow'ring ships of war. 
Already darts and torches fly, and note 

What new-made havoc strews the seas afar. 
Behold, yet neither way inclines the fight, 
Behold the barbarous queen has ta'en to flight. 

VI. 

And Antony flies too, and can give o'er 

His hopes of the world's empire, once his aim : 

Yet flies not, no, but her who flies before 

Pursues, dragg'd on by that enchanting dame. 

Mark him, like one within whose bosom's core 
Are burning at one time love, rage, and shame, 

Alternate eye the battle now whose scales 

Are doubtful still, and now the flying sails. 

VIT. 

Then hid in the recesses of the ^ile, 

He seems upon her breast for death to wait ; 

And with the rapture of a lovely smile 
Consoles himself for all his adverse fate. 

Adorn'd and sculptur'd in so rich a style 
Was the bright metal of the lofty gate. 

The warriors, when they had withdrawn their gaze 

From the fair scene, enter'd the doubtful maze. 

VIII. 

As its uncertain course Masander plies 

In sportful mood, now mounts, and now descends, 
^s T ow tow'rd its source, and now tow'rd ocean hies, 

And meets itself returning while it wends : 
Such and in more inextricable guise, 

These paths are ; but the mage's chart now lends 
Its ready succour, and depicts each spot 
So clearly that it soon resolves the knot. 



CANTO XVI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 289 

IX. 

\Vhen they had issued from the tortuous round 

They saw the joyous garden bright with dew, 
Unruffled pools, crystals with murmuring sound, 

All kinds of trees and herbs, flow'rs of each hue, 
Smooth sunny slopes, valleys with shade embrown'd, 

Dark woods and caves, all burst upon their view. 
And, what adds grace to works, and is their pride. 
The art which has wrought all is not descried. 

x. 
Most natural seems each ornament and site, 

80 blent together are neglect and care. 
It looks like Nature's art, who for delight 

In sport mocks that which mocks herself. The air 
And aught beside is fram'd by magic sleight ; 

The air which makes the trees all blossom there. 
Both flow'rs and fruit for evermore endure, 
And while the' one buds the other grows mature. 

XL. 

On the same trunk, in the same leafy line, 
Above the nascent fig, the fig grows old. 

The ancient apple and the new decline 

Both from one bough, this green, and that of gold. 

Luxuriant creeps on high the twisted vine, 
And bears, upon the garden's sunnier mould, 

Grapes here unripe in flow'r, and there profuse 

Of gold and ruby, nll'd e'en now with juice. 

XIL 

Mid the green boughs full many a charming bird 
Tempers its wanton notes as if in spring. 

Murmurs the gale, and leaves and waves are stirr'd 
To prattle, for its force is varying ; 

Responding loudly when no birds are heard, 
And beating lightly whensoe'er they sing. 

The vocal breeze, whether from chance or art, 

^N ow joins their strain, and now responds apart. 

XIII. 

Among the rest is one with varied dyes 

Limn'd o'er her plumes, and with a purple bill ; 

And her broad tongue so featly she unties, 
That it articulates with human skill. 

This one continued in such artful guise 

Her eloquence that the marvel made one thrill. 

The rest intently mute drank in the sound, 

And the wind ceas'd its whispers all around. 

u 



290 TORQCATO TASSO. CANTO xvi. 

XIV. 

•■ Ah. niark," she sang. " the virgin rose unfold 

Its modest blossom from amid the green. 
When half yet clos'd. and only half unroll'd, 

It fairer shows for what is left unseen. 
Lo, next it bares its naked breast, more bold ; 

And droops then, how unlike what it has been ! 
I nlike what once a myriad maids and swains 
Desir'd so much, and sought with eager pains. 

xv. 
" Thus passes with the passing of a day 

The rlow'r and verdure of the life of men : 
Xor, though young April may return, and May, 

Eeblossoms ever, nor grows green again. 
Pluck we the rose then in the morning ray, 

For the day's calm may fail we know not when : 
Pluck we love's rose : for love now let us yearn 
While, loving, we too may be lov'd in turn." 

xvi. 
She ceas'd : the feather'd choir, as if they grac'd 

The words with their consent, took up the song. 
The doves renew'd their kisses, and embrac'd. 

All creatures felt them borne by love along. 
And seem'd th' obdurate oak, the laurel chaste. 

And all the leafy tribes, an ample throng, 
Seem'd earth, and flood, to form and to respire 
The sweetest sense and sighs of warm desire. 

XVII. 

Amid the melodies which so softly waken. 

And mid such liatt'ring and alluring wiles. 
That pair speed on : and rigid and unshaken 

Steel them against each pleasure that beguiles. 
When lo their glance, nor can it be mistaken. 

Sent onward pierces through the leafy aisles, 
And sees the lover and the maid ador'd, 
Him on her bosom laid, her on the sward. 

XVIII. 

Her bosom through the drawn veil meets the view, 
And in the breeze her long loose hair is roving : 

She languishes with joy, and her cheek's hue 
Seems brighter beneath drops of heat unmoving. 

As ray through wave, a sparkling smile shines through 
Her liquid eyes now tremulous and loving. 

O'er him she hangs ; his head assumes a place 

On her soft breast with face upturn'd to face. 



CANTO XVI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 291 

XIX. 

And while his hungry looks greedily reap 

From her their food, he wastes himself in sighs. 
She stoops and snatches from his lips a heap 

Of kisses now, now sips them from his eyes : 
And at that point he heaves a sigh so deep 

That he imagines : " Now my spirit flies 
And travels o'er to her ! " The knightly pair, 
Still hidden, watch those amorous actions there. 

xx. 
Down from the lover's side, strange attire ! 

There hung a crystal furbish'd all and bright. 
He rose and held it forward for her nigher, 

The chosen minister of Cupid's rite. 
Her laughing eyes, and his lit up with fire 

See but one object present to the sight : 
She makes the glass her mirror ; he, poor elf, 
Within her tranquil eyes glasses himself. 

XXI. 

One boasts a slave, the' other a queen, to be ; 

She doats on self, and he on her no less. 
" Turn," cried the cavalier, " ! turn on me 

Those eyes of thine, whence blessing thou canst bless. 
For ! my fires, though this thou dost not see, 

Limn to the life thy beauty's whole excess. 
My bosom shows far better than thy glass 
That image which no marvels can surpass. 

XXII. 

" Though me thou may'st regard with scorn, yet there 
Thou canst at least behold thine own fair face, 

For thus thy look, which is not pleas'd elsewhere, 
Turn'd tow'rd itself may joy at its own grace. 

No mirror can display a form so fair, 
JSor Paradise in little glass find space. 

Thy mirror should be Heav'n whose orbs of light 

Alone reflect thy loveliness aright." 

XXIII. 

Armida smil'd at this, but still pursued 

Her self-delight and pretty toils of old. 
When she had wov'n her hairs, and had subdued 

With graceful discipline their errors bold, 
She curl'd the smaller locks and 'mid them strew'd 

Rich flow'rs which seem'd enamel upon gold : 
And o'er her bosom's native lilies pale 
Flung foreign roses, and compos'd her veil. 



1 } 92 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVI. 

XXIV. 

Xor beauteous thus tlie peacock when his store 

Of bright-ey'd plumes in conscious pomp is diglit : 

Xor Iris when she gilds and purples o'er 
Her curv'd and dewy bosom to the light. 

But fairer than aught else the cest she wore, 
Which she kept ever round her, e'en by night. 

Body to bodiless things did she affix ; 

And mix'd to make it what none else may mix. 

XXV. 

Tender disdains, rebukes mild and discreet, 
Endearing arts, and concords full of bliss, 

Smiles, little words, and drops of sorrow sweet, 
And broken sighs, and many a gentle kiss ; 

All these she fus'd, and temper'd them with heat 
Of fire from torches which was kept remiss ;_ 

And form'd of them that admirable cest 

Which now around her lovely side was press'd. 

XXVI. 

Her wooing done at last, she bids adieu 
To the fond youth, kisses him and departs. 

Each day she is wont to go forth and review 
Her own affairs, and search her magic chart-. 

He stays ; for never may he thence pursue 
His path, or moment spend in other parts. 

And, save when occupied with her, he roves 

A lonely lover 'mong the beasts and groves. 

XXVII. 

But when with friendly silence the deep shade 
Calls to their thefts anew th' expecting pair, 

They spend the hours of night in rapture, laid 
Within those gardens under one roof there. 

Now when, as her severer duties bade, 
Armida left the spot and her sweet care, 

The two, who mid the boughs had been conceal'd, 

Displayed themselves in pompous armour steel'd. 

XXVIIT. 

As the ferocious steed which has been ta'en 

From toilsome feats of battle crown'd with praise, 

And loose in vile repose along the plain 

Among the herds a wanton husband strays ; 

If wakeud by the trumpet's warlike strain, 

Or flash of steel, quick turns to it, and neighs ; 

Longs for the lists, and, carrying on his back 

The man. to rush alone the thundering track : 



CANTO XVI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 293 

XXIX. 

So does the youth when suddenly he sees 
Athwart his eyes the flash of armour sweep : 

He, such a warrior, whom but war could please, 
Feels at that flashing all his spirit leap ■ 

Though languid in the midst of morbid ease, 
And amid pleasures drunken and asleep. 

Ubald meanwhile advancing has reveal'd 

Full on his sight the adamantine shield. 

XXX. 

He turns his glance to the bright mirror there, 

Which shows him what he is ; and with what pride 

Of delicacy adorn'd, his dress and hair 

Breathe wanton odours that would grace a bride : 

He sees his sword, yes, e'en his sword, made fair 
By too much feminine luxury at his side : 

An useless ornament thus deck'd it seems, 

Not like a weapon that for battle gleams. 

XXXI. 

As one by deep and heavy sleep oppress'd 
After long dream regains his wonted lore, 

So by that glance his senses were redress'd : 
But he can gaze upon himself no more. 

Down falls his glance, and timid and depress'd, 
Shame keeps it fix'd upon the grassy floor. 

He'd plunge in ocean, into fire would creep, 

To hide himself, aye, seek the central deep. 

XXXII. 

Then Ubald seiz'd the moment to exclaim : 
' ' In arms all Asia and all Europe stand ; 

Whoever adores Christ, or longs for fame, 
Now toils in warfare in the Syrian land. 

Thou only, son of Bertold, idly tame 

Art lock'd out from the world on this small strand. 

Thou only art not mov'd by the grand whirl 

Of war, egregious champion of a girl. 

XXXIII. 

" What sleep, what lethargy so long enthralls 
Thy valour ? what vile quest does it pursue ? 

Up ! thee the camp, and thee, too, Godfrey calls \ 
Fortune awaits thy sword, and victory too. 

Come, fated warrior, end the task which falls 
For thee to' achieve, and let the rebel crew, 

Whom thou didst shake erewhile, be lowly laid 

Struck down by thine inevitable blade." 



294 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVI. 

XXXIV. 

He ceas'd ; the noble youth, confus'd a space, 

And without voice or gesture, made a pause. 
But when he found scorn rising in shame's place, 

Scorn the fierce champion here of reason's cause, 
And following up the redness of his face 

Another tire which burnt with fiercer jaws ; 
He tore those empty ornaments away, 
Those pomps unworthy, slavery's base array ; 

xxxv. 
And hasten'd, as one even now too late, 

Forth from that tortuous labyrinthine chain. 
Meanwhile Armida at the regal gate 

Mark'd on the ground its fiery guardian slain. 
She guess'd at once, and soon she knew her fate, 

That her belov'd had broken from the rein ; 
And sees him turn his back, ah ! cruel sight ! 
On that delightful home in hasty flight. 

xxxvi. 
She wish'd to cry : " Ah leav'st thou me alone, 

cruel one V' but sorrow stopp'd the sound ; 
So that her lamentable words were thrown 

Back to re-echo in her heart's profound. 
Wretch ! pow'r and knowledge greater than her own 

Have snatch'd the joys with which she had been 
She sees it well, and yet in vain she strives [crown' d. 
Still to retain him, and her arts revives. 

XXXVII. 

vVhat notes profane were ever heard to peal 
From foul Thessalian lips in horrid gloom, 

Whatever can arrest the heav'ns that wheel, 

And drag the shades from out of the deep tomb, 

All this she knew : yet made not Hell reveal 
The slightest answer from its dreary womb. 

She quits her magic, and will prove if warm 

And suppliant beauty be the greater charm. 

XXXVIII. 

She runs, and cares not for her honor's stain. 

"Where are her triumphs now, and vaunted skill 1 
She had before turn'd and o'erturn'd Love's reign, 

How grand soever, with a nod at will ; 
And as her pride surpass'd not her disdain, 

Lov'd to be lov'd, but hated lovers still : 
Prizing but self, in others she could prize 
Nothing except th' effect of her fine eyes. 



CANTO XVI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 295 

XXXIX. 

Neglected now, and scorn'd, and in despair, 

She follows him who flies her, and who spurns : 

And strives with tears to make appear more fair 
The proffer'd loveliness from which he turns. 

She hies forth, and her tender foot, though bare, 
Stays for no ice, no ruggedness discerns : 

And she sends cries as messengers before, 

Xor reaches him ere he has reach'd the shore. 

XL. 

Madly she cries : " thou who bear'st away 
Part of me with thee, lea vest part behind ; 

Take one, or yield the other back, or slay 

At once the two : hold, hold thy flight, unkind, 

Only to catch the latest accents, nay, 
Not kisses : these to others be assign'd 

More worthy. Wretch! why fear'st thou to remain ? 

Thou canst refuse, for thou canst fly again." 

XLI. 

Then Ubald said to him : " Sire, 'twere wise 
Xot to refuse the boon her words implore. 

Now comes she arni'd with beauty, and with sighs, 
And sweetest pray'rs with bitter plaint strewn o'er. 

What if thou shouldst inure thine ears and eyes 
To foil the Syrens, as did he of yore ? 

Thus will thy reason on the senses bind 

Its peaceful yoke, and be itself refin'd." 

XLII. 

Then did the cavalier remain : and she, 

Breathless and full of tears, o'ertook them there ; 

Mournful indeed as none beside could be, 
But not more desolate than she was fair. 

She eyes him fixedly, yet makes no plea : 

Whether she scorns, or thinks, or does not dare. 

He looks not tow'rd her, and if he bestow 

Once glance, 'tis furtive, and abash'd, and slow. 

XLIII. 

As an expert musician, ere in song 

Come from his tongue the liquid notes full- flown, 
Prepares for harmony the list'ning throng 

With prelude sweet attun'd in a low tone : 
So she who e'en in bitter grief and wrong 

Forgets no arts nor frauds which have been know, 
Makes of her sighing first a brief concent 
To soothe the soul for which her words are meant. 



296 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XVI. 






XLIV. 

Then she began : " Expect me not to pray, 

Cruel, as lovers to their lovers do. 
Such were we once : if this thou now gainsay, 

And e'en the memory of our love eschew, 
Yet hear me as a foe : for others stay 

To hear sometimes what e'en a foe may sue. 
Well canst thou grant the boon which I desire, 
And yet preserve thine anger still entire. 

XLV. 

" Yes, if thou hate me, and enjoy that hate, 
I come not to deprive thee of such glee. 

Thou deem'st it just, and be it so ; for great 
My hate was of the Christians, nay, of thee. 

A Pagan born, I us'd all means of weight 
That your dominion might be crush' d by me. 

I follow'd, seiz'd thee, and afar from arms 

Dragg'cl thee to spot unknown and full of charms. 

XLVI. 

" Add to this, too, what will be worse endur'd, 
And what will cause thee greater shame and heat, 

I cheated thee and to our love allur'd. 
Foul flattery sure, iniquitous deceit, 

To let one's flow'r be pluck' d when scarce matur'd, 
To make thee lord of all I had of sweet ; 

To offer what old lovers thought their due, 

And were denied, a free gift to the new. 

XLVIl. 

i: Be this among my frauds, and let the roll 
Of all my faults against thee so prevail 

That thou wilt set out hence and without dole 

Quit the sweet home which once thou lov'dst to hail. 

Go ; cross the sea, fight, toil, destroy the whole 
Of those who own our creed ; I speed thy sail : 

Why said I our's ? ah, mine no more ! for now 

To thee alone, stern idol, clo I bow. 

XL VIII 

; ' That I may follow thee is all I pray : 
E'en from a foe this is a small request : 

The robber does not leave behind his prey ; 
The victor goes, the captive does not rest. 

Amid thy spoils me let the camp survey, 
And to thy praises now add this, the best : 

That thou has scorn'd the scorner, while to me 

Thy finger points, a slave of low degree. 



CANTO XVI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 29/ 

XLIX. 

•• For whom shall I preserve amid my shame 
This hair which in thy sight is now so vile *? 

It shall be shorn ; for to a servant's name 
'Tis fit to add a servile dress and style. 

Thee will I follow when the battle's flame 
Is hottest, amid foemen's hate and guile. 

More spirit have I and vigour than appears ; 

Enough to lead thy steeds, and bear thy spears. 

L. 

" Thy shield bearer, or shield, if thou desire, 
1 will not spare myself in thy defence. 

Each blow shall pass, ere thou shalt feel its ire, 
Through this bare bosom, at this throat commence. 

And haply none will e'er be found so dire 
As to attempt thee harm at my expense ; 

But give up his desir'd revenge in war 

To these neglected charms, such as they are. 

LI. 

" Ah me ! do I still vaunt ? and still suggest 
My slighted charms which win for me no grace X " 

She had said more, but tears withheld the rest, 
Issuing like fountains from a rocky base. 

She seeks to take his hand then, or his vest, 
With suppliant act. And he retreats a pace, 

Resists, and wins : and is as a redoubt, 

Where love can go not in, nor tears go out. 

L1I. 

Love enters not his bosom to relume 

That ancient flame which reason has made cold. 
Pity, however, enters in its room, 

Love's comrade, but more modest and less bold ; 
And moves him deeply so that in their womb 

The sympathising tears he scarce can hold. 
Yet still that soft emotion he restrains, 
And, as he can, adjusts his mien, and feigns ; 

LILT. 

Then answers he : " Armida, deep regret 

I feel for thee : and if I could do so, 
Would ease thy soul of burning passion yet ! 

In me nor hates nor hungry passions glow ; 
Revenge I wish not, and offence forget, 

Thou neither art a servant nor a foe. 
Thou hast err'd, 'tis true, and thine excess was great 
Now in pursuit of love, and now of hate. 



298 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XVI. 



LIV. 

" What then? the faults are human, and oft known 
Thy native creed, sex, years, are each a plea. 

I also err'd, and if I would have shown 
Ruth to myself, I must not condemn thee. 

Mid dear and honor'd memories will I own 
Thee ever both in sorrow and in glee : 

I will become thy knight far as my vow, 

The Asian war, and honor will allow. 

LV. 

" Ah, let the errors which I so deplore, 

And, if it please thee, let our shames pass by ; 

And in this distant solitary shore 

Entomb'd for ever let their memory lie. 

This only mid my deeds be heard no more 
In Europe and the two great regions nigh. 

Ah, wish not to imprint ignoble stains 

Upon thy charms, thy worth, thy queenly veins. 

LVI. 

" Remain in peace : I go. Make no. essay 
To come with me, for this my guide denies. 

Remain, or go some other happier way ; 
And pacify thy counsels as thou'rt wise." 

She, restless and unquiet, scarce can stay 

With patience while the warrior thus replies. 

Some time she eyes him with disdainful brow, 

And bursts into abusive language now. 

LVII. 

" Thee not Sophia bore, nor art thou born 
Of Azzo's blood : thee ocean's wave insane 

Brought forth, and icy Caucasus forlorn, 
And thee did milk of tigress' teat sustain. 

Why still dissemble I ] this man of scorn 
Has never shown one trait that is humane : 

Did he change colour ? did he at my cry 

Shed tears at least ? or breathe a single sigh ? 

LVIII. 

" What things do I omit, and what tell o'er ? 

He calls him mine, then quits me and Hies hence : 
Like a kind victor, heeds the crimes no more 

Of guilty foe, and pardons all offence . 
Hear him discourse on love ! what modest lore 

This young Xenocrates displays ! what sense ! 
O Heav'n ! Gods ! on such why scarcely frown, 
Yet strike the tow'rs and your own temples down ? 



CANTO XVI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 299 

LIX. 

" Go, cruel; with that peace be thou repaid 

Which thouleav'st me ; go hence with treachery black ! 

Me soon thou'lt have bare spirit, sequacious shade, 
Never to be disjoin' d, behind thy back ; 

A Fury new with snakes and torch array'd, 
Much as I lov'd thee, henceforth will I rack. 

And if it be thy fate to quit the sea, 

Shun rocks and waves, and in the battle be ; 

LX. 

" There lying faint mid blood and corpses high 
Thou shalt repay, fierce knight, mine every tear. 

Oft shalt thou call, ere breathing thy last sigh, 
Armida's name : and this I hope to hear." 

No more the sad one's breath could here supply, 
Nor did she make her latest accents clear. 

She fell half-dead, and icy dews repos'd 

Upon her features, and her eyes were clos'd. 

LXI. 

Thine e}~es are clos'd, Armida : Heav'n denies 

Too greedily the comfort to thy woe. 
Poor wretch, unclose thine eyes : why in his eyes 

Yiew'st thou not now the bitter tears that flow ? 
! couldst thou hear, how sweetly would his sighs 

Fall on thine ear with music soft and low ! 
He gives thee what he can, and, though untrue 
Thou deem it, looks a pitying last adieu. 

LX1I. 

"What should he do ? upon the bare sea-side 
Ought he to leave her in this helpless plight ? 

Mere courtesy withheld him, pity tied, 
But hard necessity compell'd his flight. 

He parts ; the hair of her who is his guide 
Already fills with zephyrs fair and light. 

The golden sail o'er the deep ocean flees : 

He eyes the shore ; and lo ! no shore he sees. 

LXI1I. 

"When once more into life her pulses start, 

Deserted, mute, she gazes all around. 
" Is he then gone ? " she cried ; " and had the heart 

To leave me here in seeming death-sleep drown'd 1 
Xor would remain one moment, nor impart 

Small aid to me while smitten to the ground ] 
And yet I love him still ] and on this shore 
Still unreveng'd I seat me and deplore % 






IOBQDAT0 IASSO. 



CANTO XVI. 



LXIT. 

■• Of what avail are tears ! Can I not wield 

Worse arms, worse arts ) The wretch will I puisne : 

In no abyss shall he remain coneeal'd, 

Nor HeaVn's own temple hide him from inv view. 

I reach. I seize him. and his heart have peeld. 
And hang his limbs to scare th' unfeeling crew. 

A master he in cruelty : I will seek 

To' exceed him. . . . But where am I ! and what speak? 

LXV. 

•■ Wretched Armida. then thou should'st have t- 
Revenge, and never could it be too dire. 

"When he was yet thy thrall : now slow disdain 
Inflames thee, and thou idly niov'st thine ire. 

If beauty or quick wit be not in vain, 
I will not yet be balk'd of my desire. 

loveliness despis'd. I will assign 

To thee the vengeance, foi the wrongs are thine. 

LXVI. 

•• This beauty as a prize shall : A ; 

For him who cuts off the detested head. 

my brave lovers, for your swords behold 

A grand and honorable task, though dread. 

1 who am heiress of rich lands and gold 

Oiler in guerdon of revenge my bed. 
If I be worthless purchase at such lee. 
An uncles- gift then, beauty, must thou be. 

LXVI I. 

•• hapless gift; I spurn thee, and detest 

At once to be a queen, and be alive. 
And ever have been born : sole hope and zest 

Of sweet revenge ] irsuades me to survive."' 
In broken words her rage she thus express 'd. 

And tnrn'd her footsteps from the shore's acelive, 
Showing her fury in her scatter'! tire, 
Distorted eyes, and face inflam'd with ire. 

LXVI II. 

Arriv'd at her own heme with dreadful torn 

She call'd three hundred Deities of bale. 
With inky clouds at once the skies are hung, 

And growi the grand eternal planet pale : 
The wind blows, and the Alpine tops are wrong : 

Lo ! underneath; Hell's caverns roar and wail. 
Far as the palace winds, by anger stirjAl 
The hiss, the roar, the bark, the howl, are heard. 



CANTO XVI. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 301 

LXIX. 

Shades deeper than of night, in which no ray 
Of light is niix'd, hang looming all around ; 

Save ever and anon when lightnings play, 
Illuming momently the black profound. 

Then cease the shades : the sun regains his sway, 
But pale ; nor cheerful yet the air is found : 

The palace is dispers'd, nor e'en appear 

Its traces, nor can one declare : 'twas here. 

LXX. 

As a huge mass of clouds, on air reclin'd, 
Mark out a shape, which is in a short space 

Fus'd in the sun, or scatter'd by the wind ; 

As dreams dissolve which sick men's fancies trace : 

80 the pile vanish' d, and but left behind 
The Alps and natural horror of the place. 

She, seated on her ready car, then hies, 

And lifts herself as usual to the skies. 

LXX I. 

She treads the clouds, and through the gale careers, 
Girt with the tempest and the whirlwind's roar ; 

Passes the coasts where the' other Pole appears, 
And th' unknown habitants of many a shore ; 

Passes the bars of Hercules, nor nears 
The soil of the Hesperian or the Moor ; 

But holds her flight suspense o'er seas profound 

Until she has attain'd the Syrian bound. 

LXXII. 

She seeks not thence Damascus : on its flank 
She passes her own country, once so sweet, 

And turns her car to that unfertile bank 

Where frowns her castle o'er the watery sheet. 

Arriv'd here, from her maidens all she shrank, 
And from her slaves, and sought a lone retreat, 

And amid various thoughts is whirl' d in doubt ; 

But shame soon yields to rage, and is thrust out. 

LXXIII. 

" Yes, I will go," she cried, " ere Egypt's king 
Shall hitherward his Eastern armies wheel, 

All arts once more to aid me will I bring 
And into each unwonted shape will steal ; 

Use bow and sword, and be a servile thing 
To those in pow'r, and stir them up to zeal. 

Be but a part of my revenge in view, 

I bid to honor and respect adieu. 



302 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVI. 

LXXIV. 

" Let not my guardian Uncle cast the blame 
On me but on himself, for 'twas his will. 

He made my daring soul and frail sex aim 
At offices which they should ne'er fulfil : 

He set me wand'ring ; he unloos'd my shame, 
Spurr'd on my courage, and increas'd my skill. 

On him alone be laid what ill I e'er 

Have done for love, or shall do for despair." 

LXXV. 

This said, she gather'd dame and cavalier 
And every page and sergeant in all haste ; 

And in their brilliant gowns and haughty gear 
Display'd her regal fortune and her taste. 

Then she set forth, nor slept on her career, 
But evermore by sun and moon she pac'd 

Till come to where the friendly hosts array 

Coy 'ring the sunny plains of Gaza lay. 



303 



CANTO XVII, 

ARGUMENT. 

Th' Egyptian host from Gaza's sandy plain 
Already move, and furl their canvas lairs ; 

And o'er the camp Emirene holds the rein, 

And 'gainst the Faithful now his march prepares, 

When comes Armida, aud the prize insane 
Against Rinaldo adds to her warm pray'rs, 

But he is safe ; and in the fatal shield 

Beholds the glory of his race reveal'd. 

I. 
Plac'd at Judaea's confine, on the way 

That leads towards Pelusium, Gaza stands 
Close to the ocean's rim ; and near its bay 

Are spread immense and solitary sands, 
Which, e'en as south winds lift the briny spray, 

The rushing whirlwind lifts ; hence on the strand's 
Unstable floor, the pilgrim hardly finds 
Escape or refuge from tempestuous winds, 

ii. 
This is the king of Egypt's frontier fort, 

To him long since by the foil'd Turk resign'd ; 
And being so opportune and near a port 

For the grand scheme to which he had turn'd his mind, 
He quitted Memphis, his illustrious court, 

And hither mov'd his seat, and had enjoin'd 
Already an innumerable host 
From various realms to' assemble on this coast. 

in. 
Muse, what was the season, what the course 

Of those events now bring thou to my mind, 
What arms had the grand Emperor, what force, 

What subject nations, what allies assign'd, 
When from the South and utmost Eastern source 

He mov'd to Avar the pow'rs and kings combin'd": 
The troops and chiefs, and half the world inroll'd 
In banner' d arms, thou only canst unfold. 



304 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



IV. 



CANTO XVII. 



When Egypt shook off the imperial claim 

Of Greece, and chang'd the creed it ns'd to own, 

A warrior sprung from Mahomet's blood became 
Its sov'reign lord, and founded there his throne. 

He was call'd Caliph, and by the same name 
All who succeeded to his pow'r were known. 

So Nile beheld in lengthen'd order rise 

Her Pharaohs first, and then her Ptolemies. 



As years rolTd on, the state began to stand 
Securely, and so grew that it spread o'er 

Asia and Lybia, from Cyrene's land 

And Marmarique far as the Syrian shore • 

And inward past Syene was made to' expand 

Up the long course through which Nile's waters pour ; 

Thence to Sabaea's wide unpeopled plains, 

And on to where the vast Euphrates drains. 

VI. 

Upon the right and left it comprehends 
The rich sea and the spicy coasts around • 

And past the Erythraean far extends 

Tow'rd where at dewy morn the sun is found. 

Grand forces in itself the empire blends, 

And he who rules it makes them more renown 'd ; 

Supreme by blood, but still more by desert, 

In regal and in warlike arts expert. 

VII. 

Oft with the Turks, oft with the Persian state 

This monarch warr'd ; provok'd, and crush'd their 

Now lost, now won \ and still in adverse fate [pride ; 
Greater than e'en in vict'ry was descried. 

When pressing age could bear no more the weight 
Of arms, he loos'd the sabre from his side ; 

Yet pass'd his warlike genius not away, 

Nor his vast thirst for honor and for sway. 

VIII. 

Still wars he, seated in his capital, 

And in his mind and speech such strength appears, 
That all the cares of monarchy seem to fall 

An easy burden on his vigorous years. 
Africa scatter' d into kingdoms small 

Dreads his great name, and distant Ind reveres ; 
Some yield him voluntary troops inroll'd 
From martial tribes, some tributary gold. 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 305 

IX. 

The king thus made, thus great, unites his pow'r, 

Or rather, now united, hastes to lead 
Against the fortunes of the Frank which tow'r 

Too proudly, and have sown suspicion's seed. 
Armida comes the last just at the hour 

Appointed for reviewing man and steed. 
Outside the walls upon the spacious plain 
Passes before him all the martial train. 

x. 
He sits in pride upon his lofty throne 

To which a hundred ivory steps ascend ; 
And o'er him a grand silver sky is strown • 

Purple and gold beneath his feet extend. 
Stiff with barbaric ornaments are shown 

His royal robes in which all riches blend • 
White linen twisted into many a fold, 
Strange diadem, around his hair is rolTd. 

XI. 

He holds his sceptre in his hand, and seems 
Severe and venerable from beard now grey ; 

And from his eyes unchang'd by age there gleams 
The vigorous courage of an earlier day : 

And truly in his every gesture teems 
The majesty of years and regal sway. 

Apelles, perhaps, or Phidias in such guise 

Limn'd Jove, but Jove when thund'ring from the skies. 

XII. 

There stand upon his left hand and his right 
Two greater satraps ; the more worthy bears 

The naked sword with rigor prompt to smite ; 
The less the seal, sign of official cares. 

Guardian of secrets is the one, with might 
To rule in civil cause the state's affairs : 

The other over all the hosts is lord 

With ample power to punish and award. 

XIII. 

Beneath the throne Circassians are descried, 

His dense and faithful guard, with spears display'd ; 

Each has a cuirass too, and at his side 
Suspended is a long and curving blade. 

Thus did the Tyrant sit, and thus he ey'd 
From lofty point his martial tribes array'd. 

The troops in passing at his feet let fall, 

As if adoring, arms and banners all. 



306 TORQUATO TASSO. 



OANTO XVII. 



XIV. 

Th' Egyptians first in order pass in show, 

And under four great leaders they defile ; 
Two from the upper land, two from the low 

Which is the gift and product of the Nile : 
Kich mud usurp'd where Waves were wont to flow, 

And good for culture was the gather'd soil : 
Thus Egypt grew. ! how far now in land 
Is what the ships once graz'd on as a strand ! 

xv. 
In the first squadron are the people who press'd 

The fruitful soil of Alexandria's plain ; 
Brought from the shore which faces to the west 

And touches upon Africa's domain. 
Araspes is their chief, a chief possess'd 

Of vigor not so much of hand as brain : 
Egregious master he in furtive war, 
And skill'd in Moorish arts beyond compare. 

XVI. 

Those dwelling near the East are second, they 
Who close to the' Asiatic bounds were plac'd : 

Arontes led them, one whom not a ray 
Of worth or virtue lit, but titles grac'd. 

Him never helmet soil'd in heat of day, 

Nor morning trumpet from his slumber chas'd ; 

Ill-starr'd ambition calls him for a while 

From shades and leisure to a life of toil. 

XVIT 

In the third post, and filling field and shore, 
No squadron, but a countless host, one sees. 

Sure Egypt never mows or ploughs with more ; 
And yet from one sole city come all these, 

City which counts of communes fifty score, 
And rivals or exceeds the provinces : 

I speak of Cairo : ill-dispos'd to arms 

Were those from thence ; and Campson led the swarms. 

XVIII. 

Under Gazel came those who mow the blade 
Upon the neighb'ring fertile fields around, 

And higher up to where in grand cascade 
The river takes its second headlong bound. 

Th' Egyptian crowd, with bows and swords array 'd, 
Nor bear the cuirass, nor with helm are crown'd. 

Their dress is rich, and hence do they convey 

To foes not fear of death, but wish for prey. 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 307 

XIX. 

Bare and almost unarm'd from Barca's sand 

A crowd then passes whom Alarcon leads ; 
On solitary plains their hungry hand 

Long time sustain'd them by the rohher's deeds. 
With troops less had, hut still unfit to stand 

In hattle firm, Zumara's king succeeds ; 
Then he of Tripoli ; and each of these 
Is skill'd and quick to comhat as he flees. 

xx. 
Then those come who have Araby for their seat, 

Both that Petraea nam'd, and Felix too, 
Which latter never feels th' excess of heat, 

Or cold, if all which Fame asserts he true ; 
Where incense grows, and every odour sweet, 

And where th' immortal Phoenix springs anew, 
Which tomb and cradle has mid odorous flow'rs, 
Cull'd for its natal and its funeral hours. 

xxi. 
Less richly than th' Egyptian these are dress' d, 

But are equipp'd with arms in the same mode. 
Lo other Arabs next, who never rest 

The stable occupants of one abode. 
Perpetual travellers, their homes compress'd 

And wand'ring towns are dragg'd on the wild road. 
These, have but women's voice, and women's height, 
With long black hair, and faces black as night. 

XXII. 

They arm long Indian reeds with points of steel ; 

And had ye seen their coursers, ye had said 
A whirlwind bare them onward in its reel, 

If ever whirlwind have so swiftly sped. 
Syphax commands the first to halt and wheel, 

The second have Alclino for their head \ 
Albiazar leads the third, a robber mere 
And murd'rer he, and not a cavalier. 

XXIII. 

Then from the isles, around whose margin swells 
The' Arabian wave, a crowd comes next in rank, 

Accustom'd to dive down and gather shells 

Weighted with precious pearls from the deep bank. 

With these the Negroes come, a race that dwells 
Near th' Erythraean sea on its left flank. 

Those Agricalt, and these Ormida guides 

Who scorns at creeds and every law derides. 



308 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVII. 

XXIV. 

From Meroe next the Ethiops appear, 

Meroe which the Mle and Astrabore 
Shape to an island, whose capacious sphere 

Holds two religions, and of states one more. 
Canario guided these and Assimere, 

Both kings and followers of Mohammed's lore, 
And subject to the Caliph : but the third 
Was of a holy faith, nor thither stirr'd. 

xxv. 
And then two other subject kings defile 

Their squadrons arm'd with quivers and with bows : 
Soldan of Ormus one is, round whose soil, 

Noble and fair, the gulf of Persia flows ; 
And one of Boecan, also an isle 

When to full height the tidal rising grows ; 
But when the ocean waves again retreat, 
The pilgrim passes there with unwet feet. 

XXVI. 

'Not, Altamore, could a lov'd wife's request 

Avail to hold thee in her modest bed. 
She wept, she smote her auburn hair and breast, 

To stop when thou went'st forth thy fatal tread. 
" Are then, unkind," she cried, " my features dress'd 

In meaner charms than the sea's face of dread ! 
Is to thine arm the shield a dearer weight 
Than the young boy with all his pretty prate 1 ?" 

XXVII. 

This is the mighty king of Samarcand : 

Whose free crown wins him least of men's esteem. 

So skill'd is he in arms, and such a grand 

Adventurous spirit he joins to strength supreme. 

This the Frank people well will understand : 
Him dreadful now, they may with reason deem. 

His warriors on their back have iron case, 

Sword at their side, at saddle-bow the mace. 

XXVIII. 

Lo from far Ind and from Aurora's track 

A fiery warrior next, Adrastus hight, 
Who dons a snakeskin, green with spots of black, 

As coat of mail upon his bust in fight : 
And sits upon an elephant's huge back, 

As horsemen use, a man of giant height. 
He guides a race from this side of the Ganges, 
Who lave in seas tow'rd which the Indus ranges. 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 309 

XXIX. 

In the succeeding troop the flow'r elect 

Of all the regal body-guard proceed, 
Who, grac'd with largess, and with honors deck'd, 

Had both for war and peace been richly fee'd ; 
Who arm'd for safety, and for dread effect, 

Come mounted each upon a pow'rful steed ; 
And Heav'n reflects their mantle's purple fold, 
And the bright flashing of their steel and gold. 

XXX. 

Mid these is fierce Alarco, and Odemar 
Grand marshaller of troops, and Idraote, 

And Eimedon, for reckless spirit in war, 

And scorn of death, renown'd in lands remote ; 

Tigranes, and Eapoldo the corsair 

Lord of the seas, and Ormond, knight of note ; 

And Marlabust Arabicus, thus nam'd 

From the' Arabies, whose rebels he had tam'd. 

XXXI. 

Orindo, Arimon, Pirga, with Brimart, 

Besieger of the cities, come ; Syphant, 
Tamer of steeds, and in the wrestler's art 

A mighty master, thou too, Aridamant ; 
And Tisaphernes, war's electric dart, 

To equal whom none yet could ever vaunt. 
Whether on foot or saddle he appear, 
Whether he wheel the sword, or tilt with spear. 

XXXII. 

These an Armenian guides, who in life's spring 
Went o'er to Paganism from holy creed, 

Whose name as Clement once was known to ring ; 
To that of Emirene he now gives heed : 

Else warrior true, and dear, to Egypt's king 
Beyond all those who sit for him on steed, 

And famous as a leader, and a knight, 

For heart, for wisdom, and for manual might. 

XXXIII. 

No other now remain' d ; when unforeseen 
Appear'd Armida, and display'd her train. 

Succinct in dress, and quiver'd, the fair queen 
Came seated high upon her mighty wain. 

And with the native sweetness of her mien 
Was mingled now so much of fresh disdain 

As gave her vigour ; and in cruel mood 

She seem'd to threat, and e'en in threat'ning woo'd. 



;io 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO xvi r. 



XXXIV. 

Her car on which all priceless gems abound 
Kesembles that which bears the God of day : 

And to th' elaborate yoke in couples bound 
Four unicorns the skilful rein obey. 

A hundred maids and hundred youths around 
Down from the shoulder let the quiver sway ; 

All sit on milk white steeds that proudly pace, 

Prompt for the wheel, and nimble for the race. 

XXXV. 

Her troop succeeds, and Aradine with those 

Whom Idraote in Syria had inrolTd. 
As when the bird unique, regenerate, goes 

His Ethiops to visit as of old, 
Various and fair in plumage with rich rows 

Of necklace and a native crown of gold : 
The world is aw'd, and near him and behind 
Fly marvelling armies of the feather' d kind : 

xxxvi. 
So passes she, and with delight are view'd 

Her dress, her features, and her graceful arts, 
Ko soul is so inhuman there, nor rude 

To touch of love, as not to feel its darts. 
If scarcely seen, and in disdainful mood, 

She won so many and such different hearts, 
What will she when with joyous face she tries, 
"With lovely smile, and sweetly natt'ring eyes % 

XXXVII. 

The king of kings, soon as she quits the ground, 
Commands to come before him Emirene, 

Since to prefer him o'er the chiefs renown'd 

And make him general Chieftain does he mean. 

He, prescient now, to honors justly found 
Comes forth with brow exalted and serene. 

The tall Circassian guard disparts, and lends 

A passage to the throne, and he ascends ; 

XXXVIII. 

And bending head and knees, joins to his breast 
His right hand ; then to him the monarch said : 

" Thee with this sceptre, Emirene, I invest, 
To thee commit the host ; rule in my stead ; 

And, rescuing yon king now sorely press'd, 

Bring down my vengeful ire on the Frank's head. 

Go, see, and conquer ; and let none remain 

Unvanquish'd ; and bring hither those unslain." 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 311 

XXXIX. 

So speaks the tyrant : and the honor' d knight 
Assumes the rod of sov'reign pow'r and cries : 

" I take, Sire, from a hand of matchless might 
The sceptre, and go forth to high emprise ; 

And Asia's grave affronts I hope to right 
Beneath the auspices of one so wise : 

Not save as victor will I e'er return ; 

And loss shall meet with death, but not with scorn. 

XL. 

" I pray to Heav'n, if it ordain the worst, 
Though such I cannot deem is its decree, 

That on my head the fatal storm may burst, 
Od mine alone, how dread soe'er it be ; 

And safe may these return, and rites be first, 
Triumphant and not sorrowing, paid to me." 

He ceas'd, and there ensued a mighty sound 

Of barbarous horns blent with loud shouts around. 

XLI. 

And mid the stound through noble crowds and dense 
The king of kings departs ; and in his wide 

Pavilion at the festal board immense 

Receives the chiefs, and seats himself aside, 

Whence food now, and now words, he can dispense, 
And leave no part with honors unsupplied. 

Armida finds a place here where she best 

Can ply her arts mid merriment and jest. 

XLII. 

The tables being gone, the lovely cheat, 

Who sees all eyes on her alone intent, 
And marks by well-known signs her poison sweet 

Infus'd in every mind there as she meant, 
Turns to the king, while rising from her sea*t, 

With air at once both proud and reverent, 
And magnanimity and rage are thrown, 
Much as she can, into her face and tone. 

XLIII. 

" Dread king," she cried, " I too would bear a part 
For creed and country in this martial scene. 

A maiden I, but with a queenly heart : 
And war is not unworthy of a queen. 

Who wills to reign, should use each regal art : 
In the same hand the sword and sceptre lean ; 

And mine, unshrinking from the steel, shall know 

To strike, and, striking, make the life-blood flow. 



312 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVII. 

XLIV. 

" Nor deem, Sire, that this is the first day- 
Such high and noble aim has fill'd my thought : 

Since for our law, and thine imperial sway, 
Long time ago, and often, have I fought. 

Thou should' st remember if the truth I say, 
For thou hast heard a part of what I wrought ; 

And know'st how many champions I held bound, 

Of all who bare the cross the most renown' d. 

XLV. 

" I took them, and secur'd them by my might ; 

And sent them as a splendid gift to thee : 
And they had been for ever shut from light 

In guarded prison, had such been thy decree ; 
And thou hadst now been in securer plight 

To end successfully thy mighty plea; 
Had not the fierce Binaldo, who had slain 
My gallant warriors, set them free again. 

XLVI. 

" Einaldo is well known, and here there ring 
Of his adventures histories loud and long. 

This is the cruel one who dar'd to fling 

Affront on me, nor have I veng'd the wrong : 

Hence rage to reason adds its galling sting, 

And makes me prompt to join the martial throng. 

Hereafter all my wrongs will I avow : 

Let this suffice, I wish for vengeance now, 

XLVII. 

" And will exact it ; for the winds have sped 

Not all its shafts in vain, and Heav'n's right hand 

Not seldom guides the righteous hand to shed 
The guilty blood. But if one here there stand 

Who will cut off the cruel wretch's head, 
And will present it to me, for such grand 

Eevenge I evermore will grateful be, 

Although 'twere nobler were it wrought by me : 

XLVIII. 

" So grateful, that to him shall be denied 
Not e'en the greatest boon I can concede. 

Me dow'r'd with gold, and with myself beside, 
In wedlock shall he have, if thus he plead. 

In this my promise firm will I abide, 

And this I swear by our most holy creed. 

If any one then deem our prize is worth 

The risk, let him avow it, and come forth." 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 313 

XLIX. 

While thus the lady spake with wonted art, 
Adrastus gaz'd on her with greedy glow. 

" Forbid it Heav'n," he cried, " that thou one dart 
Upon the barbarous homicide bestow ; 

For all unworthy is a villain heart, 

beauteous archer, to receive thy blow. 

Apt minister of thy revenge am I, 

And at thy feet his head shall quickly lie. 

L. 

" I will pluck out his heart, and to the host 
Of vultures give his mangled limbs ere long." 

Thus spake that Indian chieftain ; and his boast 
To Tisaphernes sounded like a wrong. 

" And who art thou," he cried aloud, " who show'st 
Such pride before the king, before this throng ? 

Perchance there is one here who may refute 

Thy mighty vaunts with deeds, and yet is mute." 

LI. 

The Indian answer'd : "I am one whose tongue 
Is not so pow'rful as his hand, nor fast : 

But if elsewhere thy meddling speech had rung, 
That speech of thine had surely been thy last." 

Worse tempest had ensued ; but the king flung 
His sceptre 'twixt the two and stay'd the blast. 

Then to Armida said he : " Gentle dame, 

Great is thy heart, and manly is its aim ; 

LII. 

" And worthy thou to whom they both should yield, 
As offer'd gifts, their anger and their pride, 

That these thou then may'st at thy pleasure wield 
^Against yon pow'rful felon homicide, 

There will they best be employ'd ; and there a field 
Be found, on which their claims may best be tried." 

This said, he ceas'd : and once more either knight 

Offer'd to venge her cause with all his might. 

LIII. 

'Not these alone ; from each of the most dread 
The bold and ready vaunt assails the ear. 

All offer'd them, and on his hateful head 

All swore to take revenge with sword and spear : 

So many arms she mov'd, such wrath she sped, 
Against the warrior who was once so dear ! 

But he, as soon as he had left the strand, 

Auspiciously commenced the voyage grand. 



314 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVII. 

LIV. 

Over the self-same paths which the sea-car 

Had trac'd in coming, backward hence it goes : 

The breeze, too, which had sped the sail afar, 
Not less propitious for returning blows. 

The youth now marks the Bears and Polar star, 
And now each stellar point that brightly glows, 

Path of dim N"ight ; now streams, and mountains now 

Which rear above the sea their rugged brow. 

LV. 

The state now of the camp, now of each race 
The various laws and customs he inquires ; 

And so far o'er the briny spume they pace, 

That the fourth Sun from the' east emits its fires. 

And when of this one's light there stays no trace, 
The ship attains the land of their desires. 

The lady then exclaim'd : " Lo, here extend 

The Syrian shores ; this is our journey's end." 

LVI. 

She lands then the three warriors on the shore, 
And disappears sooner than word can fall. 

Meanwhile the night arises dark to p©ur 
One aspect o'er the face of Nature all : 

In vain those sandy deserts they explore 

With searching glance to find out roof or wall ; 

No trace of man or steed do these display, 

JS"or aught beside which can point out the way. 

LVII. 

When a few moments in suspense have roll'd 
They move their steps, and from the sea repair ; 

And, lo, far off in front their eyes behold 

Something, but scarcely know I what, of glare, g 

Which with its silver ray and flash of gold 

Illumes the night, and makes the shades more rare. 

They move on tow'rd the light and soon detect 

What 'tis that has produc'd the bright effect. 

LVIII. 

""They see suspended on a giant pine 

New armour by the radiant moon reveal'd ; 

And brighter than the stars the jewels shine 
Upon the golden helm and mail anneal' d : 

And by that light observe they a long line 

Of sculptur'd figures trac'd on the grand shield. 

There sits as if on guard an old man near, 

Who comes to meet them soon as they appear. 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 315 

LIX. 

The pair of warriors quickly recognize 

The venerable face of their sage friend. 
But when the greetings which in joyful guise 

Pass 'twixt the two and him have reach' d their end, 
He turns his converse tow'rd the youth whose eyes 

In silence tow'rd him without moving bend ; 
And, " Sire." he says, " thee only I await 
All lonely here, and at an hour so late \ 

LX. 

" I am thy friend, though this thou may'st not know ; 

Ask these how I have toil'd in thine affairs ; 
For led by me they crush'd each magic foe, 

And brought thee from a life of shame and snares. 
Hear now my words, nor let thine anger glow 

Though they resemble not the Syrens' airs ; 
But keep them in thine heart till tongue more pure 
And wise than mine shall make their truth more sure. 

LXI. 

" Not under shade, on soft plain, with the rill 
And flow'r around, and Nymph and Syren nigh, 

But on the lofty top of virtue's hill 

Painful and steep, our good is known to lie. 

Who bears not heat and cold, nor rends him still 
From pleasure's path, can never reach so high. 

Wilt thou so far then from the summit quail 

Beneath, like soaring bird in a low vale ] 

LXII. 

" Nature uprais'd thy forehead to the skies, 
And breath'd a gen'rous spirit into thy frame, 

That thou might'st upward look and win the prize 
For matchless deeds, and thus exalt thy name. 

She gave thee also passions quick to rise, 
Not to be spent on brawls or civil flame, 

And not that they might feed the hungry maw 

Of hot desires, and break through reason's law ; 

LX1II. 

" But that thy valour arm'd with these might speed 
To' assail external foes with more effect ; 

And that with greater force each lust and greed, 
Fierce enemies within, might thence be check'd. 

Then for that end to which they are meant to lead 
Let the wise ruler use them and direct, 

And at discretion make them cool or glow, 

Now spur them onward, and now keep them slow." 



316 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XVII. 



LXTT. 

He spake : the other deeply list'ning caught 
Each warning word of censure or of praise. 

And stor'd it up. and quite subdued, and fraught 
With much of shame. turnYl on the earth his gaze. 

The sage old man mark'd well his secret thought, 
And added then : •'•' My son. thy forehead raise. 

And hx thine eyes henceforth upon this shield, 

TThere the' actions of thv sires are all reveal'd. 

LXV. 

•• See thine ancestral honors there made plain, 
A long career on rough and lonely ground. 

Slow runner far behind dost thou remain 
Along these lists of glory so renown'd. 

Up, up, bestir thee : all thy valour strain, 

And whip and spur in what I paint be found." 

So spake he : and the knight intently viewed 

The shield while the' other his discourse pursued. 

LXVI. 

On narrow field the carver's subtle skill 

Has mark'd unnumber'd forms, a vast design. 

Azzo's illustrious blood is seen to fill 

The space in one unbroken glorious line. 

That blood is seen to trace its every rill 

From ancient Eoman fountain, pure and fine. 

The princes stand adorn'd with crown of bays, 

The old man shows their 1 battles, and their praise. 

LXVII. 

He shows him Caius, when on tott'ring base 
The empire yields to foreign tribes a prey, 

Impose his yoke upon a willing race, 

And prince be first of Este's long array ; 

And the less pow'rful near him seek his face 
For shelter, over whom he holds the sway : 

Then when the savage Goth re-treads the ford, 

Invited by Honorius, with his horde : 

LXVIII. 

And when all Italy appears to have burned 
More fiercely with a barbarous conflagration, 

And Eome imprison'd and enslaved has learned 
To' expect destruction e'en to her foundation ; 

He shows Aurelius gathering those who yearned 
For freedom into one well-order' d nation. 

Then shows he Forest who assails the Huns, 

Lords of the Xorth ilium' d by scanty suns. 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 317 

LXIX. 

Then Attila's fell features are enroll'd 
And seem to be with dragon's eyes endow'd, 

And face of dog, which when thou shalt behold 
Thou'lt say he grins, and think he barks aloud. 

Yanquish'd in single combat then, though bold, 
See him retire among the mail-clad crowd ; 

And in defence of Aquileia stand 

Good Forest then, the Hector of his land. 

LXX. 

His death is elsewhere painted ; and his fate 
Becomes his country's fate. His heir succeeds 

And son, hight Acarine, who, not less great, 
Maintans Italian honor by his deeds. 

He yields Altinum, not to the' Huns, but fate : 
And then to a securer seat he speeds, 

Gath'ring a city from the homes which teem 

In scatter'd groups along the Padine stream. 

LXXI. 

Against that mighty stream's impetuous rage 
He banks it up ; and hence the city rose 

Within whose walls in many a future age 
The chiefs of Este sought their royal repose. 

See him defeat the Alans, and then wage 
A war with Odoacer full of woes, 

And die for Italy. noble death, 

Which makes him sharer of his father's wreath ! 

LXXII. 

With him falls Alphorisius ; doom'd to fly 
Are Azzo and his brother from their nest ; 

Eut mark them back with arms and counsel hie 
Soon as the tyrant Erulus veils his crest. 

Pierc'd with an arrow next through his right eye 
Este's Epaminondas is express' d, 

And dies with joy, since Totila the fell 

Succumbs, and safe the shield he lov'd so well. 

LXXIII. 

I speak of Boniface : and then is seen 

Valerian in the footsteps of his sire : 
A child with manly strength and courage keen, 

Who makes a hundred Gothic troops retire . 
Not far off, Ernest of most savage mien 

Works on the Sclaves deeds worthy of the lyre, 
But before him see brave Aldoardo spring, 
And from Monselce shut the Lombard king. 



318 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVII. 

LXXIV. 

Henry is next, and Berenger ; and where 

The great Charles then unfurls his banner dread, 

He foremost seems to strike with falchion bare 
When leading some grand action, or when led. 

Then Louis comes who bids the' other repair 
Against his nephew, Italy's crown'd head : 

Lo ! he defeats him, takes him prisoner too. 

Then Otho and his five sons meet the view. 

LXXV. 

Then Almeric makes a marquisate his prize, 

That of the city mistress of the Po. 
Founder of churches, he regards the skies 

Devoutly, wrapt in contemplation's glow. 
The second Azzo opposite defies 

Brave Berenger and proves a pow'rful foe ; 
And, long expos'd to fortune's flickering gleam, 
Is victor, and in Italy supreme. 

LXXVI. 

Lo ! 'mong the Germans his son Albert gains 
Such high repute for worth in perilous hour, 

Conq'ring in tourney and in war the Danes, 
That Otho's daughter brings him a large dow'r. 

See Hugo next with hot blood in his veins 
Able to break the horns of Eoman pow'r, 

Marquis of Italy thereafter call'd, 

To whom all Tuscany will be enthrall'd. 

LXXVII. 

Then Tibald, and then sculptur'd side by side 

Come Boniface and Beatrice in view. 
No male heir to a heritage so wide, 

Nor to a sire so grand, is seen to' accrue. 
Matilda follow'd and she well supplied 

The whole defect in sex and number too ; 
For far o'er every sceptre, every crown, 
The sage and valorous dame could raise the gown. 

LXXVIII. 

In her fine features manly spirits reign, 

And more than manly strength is in her eye. 

There she defeats the Normans ; brave in vain 
Guiscard, unmatch'd till now, is forc'd to fly. 

There routs she the fourth Henry : in the fane 
Then offers his imperial standard high : 

And in the Vatican once more is shown, 

Placing the Pontiff king on Peter's throne. 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 319 

LXXIX. 

As one who loves and honors her, his place 
Azzo the fifth takes at her side, or near. 

But the fourth Azzo's kindly fertile race 
Shoots into branches happier and freer. 

See Guelph, his son and Cunegunda's, pace 
Where Germany invites his young career : 

And the good Eoman germ, transplanted, bloom 

In the Bavarian fields with prosperous doom. 

LXXX. 

With a grand Estian branch is grafted there 
The Guelphic tree, which in itself is old. 

This in its Guelphs is seen again to bear 

More sceptres than before, and crowns of gold ; 

And, favour'd by the heav'nly planets fair, 
Goes shooting up its branches uncontrol'd. 

E'en now it sweeps the clouds ; e'en now invades 

Half Germany, and all of it o'ershades. 

JjXXXI. 

iS r or less in its Italian branches teems 

The regal stem, and emulous aspires. 
Mark opposite to Guelph how Bertold gleams. 

See the sixth Azzo here renew his sires. 
This is the chain of heroes, and it seems 

To move along the brass with living fires. 
Kinaldo rouses oft, while these he marks, 
The spirit of honor from the native sparks. 

LXXXII. 

And stirr'd to rivalry, his haughty mind 
Is set on fire, and he so heats his brain, 

That what was in his thought alone defin'd, 
The city scal'd and won, and people slain, 

As if 'twere present and the truth had shin'd, 
He sees before his eyes distinctly plain : 

And arms in haste ; and with a hopeful brow 

Usurps the victory, and forestalls it now. 

LXXXIII. 

But Charles who had detail'd to him the mode 
In which the royal heir of Denmark died, 

Gave him the sword which had so long been ow'd. 
" Take it, and use it happily," he cried : 

" But be it on the Christian faith bestow'd, 

And just and pure, not less than strong, abide • 

And nobly venge its former master soon 

Who lov'd thee much, and who expects the boon." 



320 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVII. 

LXXXIV. 

He to the knight replied : " May Heav'n award 
That this my hand, which now receives the blade, 

May with it take deep vengeance for its lord, 
And pay with it what justly should be paid." 

Charles turn'd with joyful aspect to accord 

His lengthen' d thanks in short discourse array 'd. 

But here the noble sage advanc'd to haste 

Their darksome journoy o'er the dreary waste. 

LXXXV. 

" Go we," said he, " where Godfrey and the host 
Await thee ; opportune thou com'st as day. 

Go we at once, for though all light be lost, 
Well to the Christian tents I know the way." 

He spake ; and on the car assumes his post, 
And takes them into it without delay ; 

And loosing to his fiery steeds the rein, 

Whips and directs them tow'rd the east again. 

LXXXVI. 

Through dark air mutely travers'd they the ground ; 

When the' old man turns him to the youth, and cries : 
u Thou hast beheld here of thy stem renown'd 

The root sink deeply and the branches rise ; 
And though from the first age it has been found 

Mother of heroes in such fruitful guise, 
'Tis not, nor shall be, tir'd of bringing forth ; 
For never shall old age decrease its worth. 

LXXXVII. 

" that as I have drawn from the dark breast 
Of ancient time thy primal sires unknown. 

So might I also fully have express'd 

Thy successors whom future years shall own ; 

And mark them for the world ere yet this blest 
And tranquil light upon their eyes be thrown. 

For lines of future heroes shall expand 

As lengthily, and their actions prove as grand. 

LXXXVIIl. 

" But I could never through the future read 

The truth, which lies within too dense a shroud, 

Save dark and doubtful and obscure indeed, 

Like flick'ring torch far distant through a cloud. 

And if with an assertion I proceed 

As if 'twere sure, I do not vaunt too loud, 

For such I heard from one to whom 'tis given 

To see without a veil th' intents of Heaven. 



CANTO XVII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 321 

LXXXIX. 

" What was reveal' d to him by light divine, 

To me by him, I to thine ear unfold. 
There never was a Greek or barbarous line 

Or Latin, now or in the days of old, 
Kich with such heroes as 'tis Heav'n's design 

To have in thy posterity inroll'd, 
Equal to those of most illustrious name 
Whom Sparta, Carthage, or whom Eome can claim. 

xc. 
" I choose Alphonso," said he, " from th' array 

Second in title, first, if worth decide ; 
Who will be born when, ag'd and in decay, 

The world will ill with great men be supplied. 
He shall be such that none shall better sway 

The sword or sceptre, none with nobler pride 
Sustain the weight of arms or of the crown ; 
Supreme of all thy race, chief in renown. 

xci. 
" High valour shall he show, in all pursuits 

Which mimic savage war, in childhood's days, 
A terror to the forests and the brutes, 

And in the lists adorn'd with the first praise. 
Then from true battle shall he gather fruits, 

Abundant booty, and victorious bays : 
And often shall it hap that laurel now, 
Xow oaken leaves, now grass, shall wreath his brow. 

xcn. 
*• Xor shall the glory of his riper hours 

Be less august ; to establish peace and rest ; 
Maintain his cities amid neighbouring pow'rs 

And serried armies undisturb'd and blest ; 
2s urse arts and talents, and educe their flow'rs ; 

Hold gallant games and pomps with joyful zest ; 
Weigh vengeance and reward in just degree ; 
Look forth afar, and all extremes foresee. 

XCIII. 

" ! if he ever hap as chief to go 

Against the wretches who shall, unrestrained 
O'er land and ocean in those times of woe 

Give laws to peoples who till then had reigned, 
To take revenge on them as on God's foe 

For temples batter' d down, and rites profaned, 
What just and deep revenge will he effect 
On the grand Tyrant and that impious sect ! 

Y 



o'2'2 rORQUATO TASS0. canto XVll. 

XCIV. 

•• 111 vain against liim would the Turk repair 

From this side, or from that the Moor be' mroU'd : 
For he beyond Euphrates' stream would bear. 

Beyond the silver peaks of Taurus cold, 
Beyond the realms with summers ever fair. 

The Cross, the white bird, and the lilies gold : 
And then, baptizing many a dusky brow. 
Discover Xile's grand head, though hidden now."' 

xcv. 
So spake the old man ; and his language won 

Glad audience from the youth, who, mute a spa.-. 
Felt through his bosom thr illin g raptures run. 

"While nx ; d in thought upon his future race. 
Meanwhile the dawn rose, herald of the sun ; 

And in the east the sky now chang'd its face : 
And to their glance already were reveaJ'd 
The pennons trembling o'er the tented field. 

XCVI. 

Once more the sage began : "' The orb of day 
Is mounting yonder from his eastern throne, 

And clear to you by his befriending ray 

Are tents and plain and mount and city shown. 

Safe from, all outrage, and from all delay. 

Have ye been led till now through ways unknown : 

Henceforth upon yourselves ye can rely. 

Xur is't allow'd me to approach more nigh." 

XCVII. 

Thus took he leave, and then retrae'd the ground 
Leaving the cavaliers on foot and free. 

These tow'rd the quarter where the dawn is found 
Pursue their path to where the tents they = - 

Fame quickly carried and divulg'd around 
Tir expected coming of the lordly three ; 

And pious Godfrey left his regal seat 

To welcome them, and pay them honor meet. 



323 



CANTO XVIII. 

ARGUMENT. 

Binaldo, having his full pardon won, 

Confronts the wood which magic arts infold. 

News of the hostile camp now moving on 
By speeding fame are to the Christian told. 

Yafriue becomes a spy. Lit by hope's sun, 

Meanwhile, the people of Christ are prompt and bold 

To scale the lofty wall ; the wall they scale ; 

But meet there fierce debate and deadly bale. 

I. 

Rinaldo, when arriv'd where Godfrey had sped 

To meet his coming, open'd the discourse : 
i: Sire, to revenge me on the warrior dead 

I was thrust on by jealous honor's force : 
And if I gave thee offence, as some have said, 

Much pain I feel for this, and much remorse. 
I come now at thy call, prompt to efface 
My fault by aught which may regain thy grace.'' 

ii. 
Then humbly did he bow, and Godfrey threw 

His arms around his neck and made reply : 
" Let us no more the mournful theme pursue, 

But quite forget the things which have pass'd by 
And for amends I only bid thee do 

What thou art us'd to, deeds that will not die ; 
Since to annoy the foe, and for our good, 
Thou must subdue the monsters of the wood. 

in. 
" For that most ancient wood from which the host 

Has drawn material for machines before, 
Whate'er the cause, is now the secret post 

Of formidable spells and magic lore ; 
Nor to cut down a tree can one here boast : 

Yet 'twere unwise to' assault the city more 
Unaided by such instruments. Now here 
Prove thou thy valour where the others fear." 



324 TORQUATO TASSO. ca>TO xviii. 

IV. 

Thus spake lie : and with sparing speech the knight 

Offer' d him to the risk and to the toil, 
Yet though the words he utter'd were but slight, 

He proniis'd much in that majestic smile. 
And turn'd then tow'rd the others to requite 

With hand and face the greeting kind and loyaL 
Here Guelph, here Tancred. and here all the high 
And chief among the host, had gather d nigh. 

v. 
When greetings frank and warm had been repeated 

Full oft with those who were the more renown'd, 
Affably calm, and popular, he meted 

His welcomes to the lesser folk around. 

him could war-shout more intense have greeted, 

N : denser crowd to gird him had been found, 
Had he subdued the East and South in war, 
And come triumphant in his ornate car. 

vi. 
Thus onward to his dwelling he retires, 

And sirs there with the friends who loVd him well : 
And much he answers them, and much inquires 

Now of the war, now of the sylvan spell 
But when all quitted him, and e'en his squires, 

These accents from the holy Hermit fell : 
" Mid weighty things, and o'er a lengthen'd way, 
Wonderful pilgrim, Sire, thy journey lay. 

VII. 

" How much thou ow'st to Him who rules the sphere ! 

He has withdrawn thee from th' enchanted hold : 
He leads thee, wand'ring lamb, from thy career 

Back to His flock, and shuts thee in His fold ; 
And by the voice of Godfrey thou art here 

The second minister of His will inroll'd. 
But 'tis not meet that still with sin deform'd 
Thy hand in His great service should be arm'cL 

VIII. 

■ Foi thou'rt by blackness of the world so stain'd, 
And by the blackness ;f the flesh, that e'en 

The Nile, or Ganges, or the seas if drain'd, 

Would not have pow'r to wash thee fair and clean. 

To make thy foulness pure can be obtain'd 

Trom Heav'nly grace alone : on Heav'n then lean, 

With rev'rence ask for pardon, and display 

Thy silent faults, and mourn for them, and pray." 



canto XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 325 

IX. 

He spake : the other in himself bewail'd 

At once his foolish love and haughty scorn, 
Then, at his feet reclin'd, in full detail'd 

His youthful errors, sorrowing and forlorn. 
Having pronounc'd the pardon which avail'd, 

Heav'n's minister exclaim' d : " With early morn 
Ascend for pray'r to yonder mountain's height 
Which turns its front toward the dawning light. 

x. 
" Thence hie thee to the wood from which there springs 

So many a lying phantasm to amaze. 
Thou'lt crush, I know, giants and monstrous things, 

Unless some other weak mistake delays. 
Ah ! let no voice that sweetly mourns or sings, 

No beauty that may blandly smile or gaze 
With tender flatt'ries ever bend thy heart ; 
But spurn the looks, the pray'rs, which all are art." 

XL 

Thus does he give his counsel ; and the knight 
Desiring, hoping, dons him to th' emprise. 

Thoughtful the day, thoughtful and sad the night 
He passes, and ere dawn illumes the skies, 

Girds on his noble armour, and has dight 
An upper vest of new and rarer dyes ; 

And all alone on foot, no greeting lent, 

He quits his comrades, and he quits the tent. 

XII. 

It was the hour when not as yet to day 

The night completely yields up all its bound, 

But in the east appears the rosy ray, 

And still with a few stars the heav'ns are crown'd ; 

When tow'rd Mount Olivet he bent his way, 
With eyes uprais'd contemplating around 

The incorruptible beauties, and divine, 

Here the nocturnal, there the matutine. 

XIII. 

He thought within himself: "O! what a quire 
Of lovely lights the temple of Heav'n displays ! 

Day has its grand car, Night unfolds her tire 
Of golden stars and the moon's silver rays. 

Yet neither moon nor stars do we admire, 
But at a turbid gloomy light we gaze, 

Shown in brief compass of frail face awhile, 

By glance of eyes, or flashing of a smile," 



_ 



: : i :.;\_: :..- 



:^.'z: i~::: 









Thus musing, upward to the summit high 
He cionib ; and kneeling here and reverent, 

Lifted his thought far o'er the topmost a 

And hx'd his glances on the east, intra 
u Regard with merciful and pitying eye 

Mine early faults, and early life mis-spent, 
. liber and Lord, and pour Thy grace like : . 
And purging my old Adam, shape the new." 

So prays he ; and in front behold unclose, 
Already streak' d with gold, the dawning red, 

Which gilds his crest and arms, and round him throws 
Warm rays on the green height which feels his tread: 

And on his breast, and on his "brow there blows 
A most refreshing air, which o'er his head 

Shakes from the bosom of the lovely dawn 

A dewy cloud on mountain and on lawn. 

. . ... _ 

The dews of Heav'n fall down upon his mail 

Which seem'd of ashy tint, and so besr: 
The surface that it is no longer pale. 

But has assum'd a white and sparkling hue. 
Thus the wither'd flower adorn its frail 

Faint leaves in matutinal cold anew ; 
And joyous thus returns the seipent old 
To lovely youth, and shines in recent gold. 

xvn. 
The lovely whiteness of his alter' ". vest 

Wins admiration even from the knight. 
Then tow'rd the ancient forest are address'd 

His footsteps in secure and conscious might. 
He has arriv'd where the less brave arrest 

Their progress from mere terror of the sight : 
Yet not displeasing seems the wood to him 
Xor fearful, but with grateful shadows dim. 

inn. 
He passes on, and hears meanwhile a sound 

Which spreads itself in sweetest symphonies. 
With murmuring plaint a brook is heard to bound. 

Among the leaves a zephyr gently sighs, 
The tuneful swan pours mournful notes around, 

The nightingale bemoans her, and replies : 
Organs and harps and human notes in rhyme, 
S : h and so many sounds sound at one time. 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 6*1 / 

XIX. 

The knight thought that, as happen'd to his feres, 

The air with peals of thunder would be rent ; 
And Syrens afterwards, and Nymphs he hears, 

Breezes and streams arid birds, a sweet concent ; 
Hence stops he, wond'ring much at what appears ; 

And then advances cautious and intent ; 
And finds that nothing else forbids him pass 
Except a river, calm and clear as glass. 

xx. 
Each margin of the decorated tide 

Sparkles and smells with odorous flow'rs and leaves. 
Its winding horn is stretch 'd around so wide 

That in its curve the grand wood it receives : 
Xor round it only does it sweetly glide, 

But with a streamlet enters it, and cleaves. 
It bathes the wood, and the wood shades the river, 
With fair exchange of shade and moisture ever. 

XXI. 

While the knight searches for a ford, behold, 
A wondrous bridge is suddenly display'd, 

A glittering bridge upon whose arcs of gold 
Most stable a broad pathway he survey'd. 

He travers'd the rich pass, which downward roll'd 
Soon as his feet on the' other bank were laid : 

And swiftly in the stream was borne along, 

The stream, once calm, now wax'd to torrent strong. 

XXII. 

He turns him back and sees it widely spread, 
And greatly swoll'n, as if from loosen'd snows ; 

For voluble by its own self 'tis sped, 

With myriad whirlpools which have no repose. 

But he by love of novelty is led 

To search among the thick trees as he goes ; 

And in those savage solitudes arise 

New marvels ever to attract his eyes. 

XXIII. 

Where'er he treads in passing through the gloom, 
There seems to gush or bud some fresh thing still. 

There opes the lily, here the roses bloom ; 

Here springs a fountain ; yonder speeds a rill. 

And o'er and round him th' aged trees resume 

Their youth and with fresh leaves their branches fill : 

The barks grow softer, and a richer green, 

And gladder, upon every plant is seen. 



?>'28 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XVIII. 



XXIV. 

On every leaf is manna spread like dew ; 

Drops honey from the bark of all the trees. 
And that strange harmony is heard anew 

Where song and plaint united sweetly please ; 
But still the human choir escapes his view, 

Accompanying the swans, the waves, the breeze, 
Xor knows he whence those human notes are pour'd, 
Xor where the tuneful instruments are stor'd. 

xxv. 
While he beholds, and what the sense descries 

As seeming truth, his thought declines to' embrace, 
He sees a myrtle near, and thither hies, 

Where the path ends in a grand open space. 
The mighty limbs of the strange myrtle rise 

Prouder than palm or cypress from the base : 
And over all the trees its leaves are seen : 
And of the forest there it seems the queen. 

xxvi. 
The warrior pauses, and his brows are bent 

At what seems the most monstrous thing on earth. 
He sees an oak which, teeming and self-rent, 

Opens its hollow bowel and brings forth ; 
And out there comes, dress'd in strange ornament, 

A nymph of full-grown age, of wondrous birth ! 
And then he sees a hundred trees untomb 
A hundred nymphs, too, from their pregnant womb. 

XXVII. 

As woodland Goddesses in scenes display'd, 

Or such as oft the limner's art expresses, 
With naked arms, in gown succinct array 'd, 

With graceful buskin, and dishevel'd tresses : 
E'en such in mien was each fictitious maid 

That issued from the sylvan bark's recesses, 
Save that for bow and quiver this may hold 
The lute or viol, that the harp of gold. 

xx vm. 
And they begin with dances and with glees, 

And range themselves into a ring and gird 
The warrior, as a circle oft one sees 

Drawn round a central point which is not stirr'd. 
They gird the plant too, and in words like these 

Their sweetly thrilling melody is heard : 
" How welcome com'st thou to this cloister'd grove, 
Hope of our noble mistress, and her love. 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 329 

XXIX. 

• k Thou com'st at last to heal the sick once more, 
Scorch'd as she is, and torn by amorous thought. 

This forest which was all so dark before, 
Abode of sorrow from her sorrow caught, 

Thou seest how at thy coming it flows o'er 

With gladness, and to lovelier shapes is wrought." 

Such was the song ; and then the myrtle gave 

A most enchanting sound, and then it clave. 

XXX. 

A former age beheld with wond'ring zest 
What from a rude Silenus was laid bare : 

But that grand myrtle from its open breast 
Show'd images more lovely far and rare. 

It show'd a lady whose feign'd looks express'd 
A loveliness angelically fair. 

Einaldo gazes and is quick to trace 

Armida's semblance, and her winning face. 

XXXI. 

She looks on him at once with joy and dole • 
A thousand thoughts seem mingled in one gaze. 

" I see thee, then," she cries, " and now thy soul 
Seeks her from whom thou fledd'st o'er lengthen'd 

Why com'st thou ] with thy presence to console [ways. 
My widow' d nights and melancholy days 1 

Or since thou hid'st thy face, and show'st thy fence, 

Com'st thou to war with me, to chase me hence ? 

XXXII. 

" Art lover, or art foe ? The bridge of gold 

For hostile step never did I intend ; 
Xor stream, flow'r, fount, for such did I unfold, 

Removing briars and all which could offend. 
Xow doff this helmet, nor thy brows withhold, 

Xor eyes from mine eyes, if thou com'st a friend ; 
Join lips to lips, and heaving breast to breast, 
Extend thy right hand forth to mine at least." 

XXXIII. 

While speaking, piteous glances in her eyes 
And alter' d hues upon her cheek are shown : 

Well counterfeits she all the sweetest sighs 
And many a gentle sob and tender moan : 

So that incautious pity might arise 

To see such woes in e'en a heart of stone. 

But here the knight, grown wise, not slow to feel, 

Waits for no more, and draws his naked steel. 



330 TORQUATO TaSSO. 



CANTO XVI it. 



XXXIV. 

He seeks the myrtle : and her arm- she strains 

Bound the dear stem. and. interposal. •• All no." 
She cries. " deal not on me such grievous pains 

As to inflict upon my stem one blow. 
Lay down thy sword, or in Arniida's reins 

First hide it. inexorable foe ! 
Y^s. through this breast, this heart, tliv Id; le -t d r:v 
Sole pathway to the beauteous tree behind." 

xxxv. 
He lifts the steel, and disregards her pray r : 

But she transmutes herself. marvel new ! 
As oft in dreams will melt into the air. 

And be re-shap'd. the forms which fancy drew ; 
So swell' d her limbs, grew dark her features fair. 

And vanish'd the' ivory and rosy hue. 
She waxes a tall giant, and now stands 
A Briareus with five-score armed hands. 

xxxvi. 
She handles fifty sword-?, and makes resound 

As many shields, and fiercely threat 'ning glows. 
Each other nymph, too. cloth' d in arms is found 

A dreadful Cyclops : yet no teat he shows : 
But faster on the plant his blows ret aund 

Which groans, as if 'twere Kving. at the blows. 
The fields of air seem like the fields of Hell, 
So many sprites appear, and monsters swell. 

xxxvii. 
Above, the thunders roll along the sky. 
The earth is shaking fearfully below : 
The winds and rains each other's might defy. 
And on his face an angry storm they blow. 
But yet the knight deal- not -me stoke awry ; 
Xor can this fury make him e'en more slow. 
He cuts the stem, and stem and tree are gone. 
The monsters vanish, and the charm is done. 

XXXVIII. 

The Heav'ns became serene, the air grew clear : 
The wood assurn'd once mora its natural state : 

Not terrible with snells. nor bright with cheer : 
Of horror full, but horror all innate. 

The victor re-essays if he may shear 

"Wood where he will, and without more debate : 

Then smiles, and says within himself: " vain 

Appearances ! how weak whom these restrain !" 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 331 

XXXIX. 

Hence moves he tow'rd the tents ; and the' anchorite, 

Lone Peter, then in exultation cried : 
;i The dark spells of the wood are conquer'd quite ; 

E'en now the warrior comes with conquering stride, 
Behold him." And afar in mantle white, 

Venerable and proud, is he descried ; 
And with unwonted ray the sun illumes 
His crested eagle, and its silver plumes. 

XL. 

A loud salute rang through the tented space 
With sounding cries which echo oft repell'd ; 

And then he was receiv'd with joyful grace 
By Godfrey ; and no heart with envy swell'd. 

The knight said to the Chief : "I sought the place 
So dreaded, as thou bad'st me, and beheld 

And conquer'd all its charms. Thither may hie 

The people now ; the paths in safety lie." 

XLI. 

They seek the ancient wood ; and thence is ta'en 

Material such as the best judges will. 
A nd though an artizan of vulgar vein, 

Had fram'd their first machines of war but ill, 
This time illustrious artist doth enchain 

The beams together with surpassing skill : 
William, Liguria's duke, who was before 
A corsair, and supreme from shore to shore. 

XLII. 

Fore'd to retire then, he gave up the sway 

O'er ocean to the mighty Saracen fleet, 
And now had led his maritime array 

Of arms and seamen to the camp's retreat. 
With him could none most famous in that day 

For genius in mechanic art compete : 
A hundred wrights, too, of inferior kind 
He had with him to' effect what he design'd, 

XLIII. 

This man began constructing not alone 

The catapult, balista, ram, and vine, 
By which to lay the strongest fences prone, 

And batter down the lofty mural line ; 
But wrought a greater work : a tow'r unknown, 

And woven wondrously with fir and pine ; 
And skins enwrapp'd the outside of the frame 
To screen it from the hurling balls of flame. 



332 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVIII. 

XLIV. 

It takes to pieces and unites again, 

And into one with, subtle joints will grow : 

The beam, which has a rani's head, by a chain 
Swings outward, butting from the parts below. 

A bridge shoots from trie midst, and oft will gain 
Th' opposing battlement at the first throw : 

And forth from it upon its loftiest floor 

A lesser tow'r is made to 1 emerge and soar. 

XLV. 

Lightly and smoothly o'er the facile ways, 
Roll'd on a hundred wheels, that engine tall, 

Pregnant with arms and men, at once obeys 
The movers' pleasure with exertion small. 

The troops intent behold with deep amaze 

The workmen's skill, and arts unknown to all. 

And two more tow'rs are instantly begun 

Drawn from the model of the former one. 

XL VI. 

Meanwhile the works conducted here with haste 
Cannot entirely 'scape the Saracen's eye ; 

Because along the lofty walls are plac'd 
At every nearer station guards to spy. 

By these are loads of pines and ashes trac'd 
From woodward to the host, a grand supply. 

Machines they saw too ; but could scarce detect, 

So far remov'd, their shape and their effect. 

XLVII. 

They also make machines, and with much art 
Bepair their tow'rs and walls where seen to fail ; 

And have so rais'd them up in every part 
Which, is expos'd to an assault, or frail, 

That, as they think, no force of ponderous dart 
To batter down or shake them can avail. 

But above all defence Ismene with care 

Concocted store of fires, unus'd and rare. 

XLVIII. 

The felon wizard into one caldron threw 

Sulphur and pitch, gather'd from Sodom's lake : 

And I believe he was in Hell and drew 

Some from its grand nine-circled stream opaque : 

Such stench and vapour from that mixture flew, 
So fasten'd on the face the burning flake. 

And much he hop'd with such a fiery brood 

To venge the felling of the precious wood. 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 333 

XLIX. 

While arming for assault the camp displays 

Such vigour, and the city for defence, 
A dove is seen cleaving th' aerial ways 

Above the Frankish squadron ; and from thence 
Shakes not its rapid vans ; but only frays 

The liquid path with wings outstretch'd and tense : 
And now the pilgrim messenger descends 
From the high clouds, and tow'rd the city bends ; 

L. 

When from I know not whence a falcon, lo ! 

Comes arm'd with crooked beak and talon great. 
And 'twixt the camp and walls becomes her foe. 

That cruel one's attack she does not wait. 
He, swooping downward, thrusts her as by a blow 

Tow'rd the grand tent; and sure will clutch her straight ; 
And has his foot over her tender crest. 
She shelters her in pious Godfrey's breast. 

LI. 

The pitying Chief receives her, and defends ; 

Then gazing at her, notes a singular thing : 
That from her neck, tied by a thread, depends 

A cartel clos'd, and hid beneath a wing. 
He looses it, and opes, and comprehends 

The words not lengthy trusted to the string. 
" Health to Judaea's Lord," thus ran the scroll, 
; - Sends Egypt's Captain. Eeassure thy soul : 

LII. 

" Eesist with all thy might, endure all woes 
Until the fourth or fifth day from this date : 

For I advance to free these walls from foes, 

Whom thou shalt quickly see succumb to fate." 

This is the secret which the writing shows 
Cypher' d in letters of a foreign state, 

And trusted to the porter of the air ; 

Such couriers in the East were then not rare. 

LIII. 

The Prince then liberates the dove ; and she, 
Who had reveal'd what she was taught to hide, 

Deeming herself a rebel dar'd not flee 
Back to her lord, a messenger ill-tried. 

But the grand Chief call'd those of less degree 

And show'd to them the scroll, and thus he cried : 

k - See how His Providence who from pole to pole 

Is Lord of heav'n, reveals to us the whole. 



334 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XVIII. 






LIV. 

" This is no time to loiter, to retard. 

A new broad road may now be well supplied, 
And neither let fatigue nor sweat be spar'd 

To pass the rocks upon the southern side. 
To make a pathway there for arms is hard, 

But possible ; the steps I have espied : 
And sure the wall which is secur'd by site 
Is furnish' d less with arms and works of might. 

LV. 

" A force with thee, good Raymond, at their head 
To storm the wall there with machines shall wend ; 

While the grand body t of my force is sped 

To where the northern gate and walls extend ; 

So that the foe may see it, and, misled, 
Expect our greater onset at that end. 

Then shall my mighty tow'r, soon roll'd afar. 

Move somewhat orf, and elsewhere bear the war. 

LVI. 

•'•' Camillas, thou at the same time shalt guide 

Near me the third of the great towers now wrought. 1 

He eeas'd ; and Raymond, seated at his side, 

And, while he had been speaking, fix'd in thought. 

Exclaim'd : " The' advice which Godfrey has supplied 
Cannot be added to, nor shorn in aught. 

I but commend besides that one be sent 

To spy into the hostile camp's intent \ 

LVII. 

" And of its purpose and its force to' inquire, 
Tar as he can, and certain truth disclose." 

Prince Tancred then subjoined : "I have a squire 
Whom for this office I may well propose : 

One prompt and wise, whose feet will never tire : 
Bold, but his boldness with discretion goes : 

Who speaks in many tongues, and feigns a tone, 

And apes a bearing, winch are not his own."' 

LVIII. 

He came when call'd : and after he had heard 

What Godfrey wislid, and his own lord, then nigh. 

He rais'd his face in laughter, and concurr'd 
At once in all, and said : " Mow, now I hie. 

Soon will I be where'er yon camp shall gird 
Its tents with trench, an unsuspected spy : 

Into that trench at midday will I speed, 

And number every man and every steed. 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 335 

LIX. 

i4 What, and how great, the host is shall be view'd 
And told you ; what too is the leader's quest. 

I "boast me to find out his inmost mood, 

And drag the secret counsels from his breast." 

Thus spake Yafrine, nor idle long he stood, 
But chang'd his doublet for a longer vest, 

And now he laid his neck all bare, and now 

Remov'd the twisted folds from round his brow. 

LX. 

He dons the Syrian bow and arrowy quire, 
And all his gestures breathe a barbarous style. 

And then he speaks, and those who hear admire 
In various tongues his fluency and guile. 

Phoenicians take him for a man of Tyre ; 
Egyptians for a native from the Nile. 

He mounts him on a steed which in the race 

Scarce prints upon the softest sand a trace. 

LXI. 

But the Franks, ere the third day had begun, 

Had level' d down the steep and broken ways ; 
And the' instruments by that time too were done ; 

For ever they toil'd on with no delays ; 
Xor only wrought they lighted by the sun, 

But at night also by the torches' rays :' 
And nothing more retards them at this hour 
From acting with th' extreme of all their pow'r. 

lxii. 
Much of the day before th' assault begin 

The Chieftain spends in pray'r, and to the priest 
Bids that all others shall confess their sin, 

And eat the bread of souls at the grand feast. 
Machines and arms then shows he with more din 

And number where he thinks to use them least : 
And the deluded Pagan grows elate 
Because he sees assail' d the guarded gate. 

LXI1I. 

Soon as the depth of night begins to lower 
The agile vast machine is mov'd and sent 

To where the wall curves least and has least power, 
Presenting no part angular or bent. 

And Raymond from the hill with his arm'd tower 
Also o'ertops the city's whole extent : 

Camillus his to that side has address' d 

Which from the north turns somewhat to the west. 



336 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVin. 

LXIV. 

But when the sun's bright heralds were survey'd 

Illumining at morn the eastern space, 
The Pagans knew, and they were much dismay' d, 

That the grand tower had left its wonted place ; 
And other masses here and there array' d 

Against them, though till now unmark'd, the}' trace : 
And countless catapults are also seen, 
Batista?, rams, and all kinds of machine. 

LXV. 

The crowd of Syrians were by no means slack 

In moving their defences, a huge load, 
To where the Bouillon made the real attack, 

Far from the spot where first his threat was show'd. 
But he, aware of having at his back 

Th' Egyptian host, e'en now had seiz'd the road : 
And, calling Guelph and the two Roberts near, 
Exclaim; d : "Be arni'cl on horseback at the rear : 

LXVI. 

"And be' it your charge that when I shall ascend 
Where yonder wall appears to be most frail, 

Xo squadron while we are engag'd offend 

Our backs and bring us sudden war and bale." 

He ceas'd : and from three sides already wend 
The three brave leaders horribly to' assail. 

And from three sides the king moves up his pow'r. 

Besuming arms, long quitted, in that hour. 

LXVII. 

Upon his body trembling now with years 
And heavy also from its natural weight, 

He wraps his armour after long arrears 

Of idlesse, and seeks Baymond at the gate. 

Solyman meets Godfrey, and Argante veers 
Tow'rd good Camillus, at whose side has fate 

Brought Boemond's nephew, that he now may slay 

The foe long ow'd to him in mortal fray. 

LXVIII. 

The archers here begin to ply their bows, 

And wing their mortal arms with venom stain' d, 

And heav'u, as if with clouds 'twere shaded, grows 
All darken' d with the arrows which are rain d. 

But with more force come more ferocious blows 
From the machines which to the walls are train'd. 

Whence huge and ponderous balls of marble reel, 

And beams are launch'd with points incas'd in steel. 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 337 

LXIX. 

Like a dread thunderbolt each whirling stone, 
When it strikes home, so crushes iron case 

And members, that it rends not breath alone 
And life, but shape, from body and from face. 

A single wound stays not the lance when thrown ; 
After the blow it speeds on in its race : 

Enters on one side, through the other hies, 

And flying leaves destruction as it flies. 

LXX. 

The Paynim host, however, never quails 

For all this fury, but resists the foe. 
Against the strokes they hang down linen bales 

And other things winch yield them to the blow. 
Whatever falls on these, its impulse fails 

To find resistance, and grows weak and slow. 
They, where they see a crowd expos'd and nigh, 
Send forth with flying arms a rough reply. 

LXXI. 

Yet notwithstanding this th' assailants all 
In triple band keep moving up the height : 

And some march under pentice on which fall 
Thick show'rs of arrowy sleet with idle spite ; 

And some push up the tow'rs to the high wall 
Which thrusts them from itself with all its might. 

Each tow'r attempts to launch its bridge, and now 

The ram is butting with its iron brow. 

LXXII. 

Einaldo stands irresolute meanwhile 

Because that peril was not worth his care. 

Poor honor seems it with the rest to toil 

O'er common ways, and common danger share. 

He looks around, and him can path beguile, 
And that alone, at which the rest despair. 

Where most secur'd and high the rampart towers 

And stands in peace, will he essay his powers. 

LXXIII. 

And turning him to those who had own'd as guide 

Till lately Dudon, an heroic train ; 
" shame to us that yonder wall," he cried, 

" Mid all this war should still in peace remain. 
All risks by valour may be safely tried ; 

To the courageous every path is plain. 
Move we the war then yonder, and oppose 
Our shields in a dense tortoise to the blows." 



338 



T0RQUAT0 TASSO. 



CANTO XVIII. 



LXXIV. 

All of them clos'd at once at this command : 
All of them rais'd the shield above the head, 

And joining made an iron roof expand 

To shelter them from tempest here so dread. 

Drawn under cover that intrepid band 

Moves rapidly, and nought arrests its tread ; 

Because the solid tortoise wards off all 

That topples down upon them from the wall. 

LXXV. 

They reach the wall, Einaldo rears on high 
A ladder with two hundred steps, and sways 

The mass as lightly as one may descry 

The wind bend down a little reed, or raise. 

jNow lance or beam, now rocks or columns fly 
Down from above : and yet he nought delays ; 

But, still unshaken, would speed on the more, 

Though Ossa with Olympus tumbled o'er. 

LXXVI. 

Upon his back the darts and ruins rear 
A forest • on his shield a hill is strown. 

With one hand now he shakes the rampart near, 
One in defence is o'er his forehead thrown. 

Th' example urges on each gallant fere 

To desperate deeds • and he mounts up alone ; 

For many tread with him the steps elate ; 

But not the same their prowess and their fate. 

LXXVII. 

One dies, another falls : he mounts the height 

Sublime ; and these he cheers, and those he faces. 

Now has he won so far with valorous might 
That on the battlement his hand he places. 

A crowd draws thither, strives to thrust, to smite, 
To hurl him down, and yet not even chases. 

Wonderful sight ! one warrior pois'd in air 

Eesists a legion on firm footing there. 

LXXVIII. 

Yes, he resists, moves on, and stronger grows, 

And, as the palm is wont when press'd with weight, 

His valour is the greater for their blows, 
Becoming from oppression more elate. 

And in the end he conquers all his foes, 

And beats down all their spears, and all debate; 

And scales and tops the wall, and makes it clear 

And safe for those who climb it in his rear. 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 339 

LXXIX. 

To Godfrey's youngest brother who was spent 
Almost, and just upon the point to fall, 

He stretch' d out his victorious hand, and lent 
Him aid to mount the second on the wall. 

Meanwhile elsewhere the Captain underwent 
Fortunes that varied oft, but perilous all ; 

For not 'twixt men alone the fight was keen, 

But there machine, too, battled with machine. 

LXXX. 

The Syrians to the topmost heights had slung 
What had been a ship's mast in other days ; 

And o'er it crosswise a huge beam is hung 

With head of steel made rough to strike and graze : 

And this when by the cables backward swung 
Returns, and with a dread momentum sways. 

At times it enters tortoise-like its shell, 

And forth at times its neck will it propel. 

LXXXI. 

The huge beam butted \ and so hard the blows 
Upon th' opposing tow'r redoubling strook, 

That gradually they loos'd and made unclose 

Its joints once firm, and thrust it back, and shook. 

The tow'r was arm'd with weapons to oppose 

Such peril, and two great scythes from out a nook 

Against the beam were made with art to fly, 

And cut the ropes by which 'twas pois'd on high. 

LXXXII. 

As a huge crag which angry whirlwind brushes 
From mountain top, or old age has untied, 

Falls headlong down, and carries off and crushes 
The woods with cots and herds in ruin wide ; 

So from the dizzy height the dread beam rushes 
With battlements, and arms, and men beside. 

The tow'r nods once and twice at the loud sound, 

The ramparts tremble, and the hills rebound. 

LXXXIII. 

The conquering Godfrey presses on still more, 
And deems he now can occupy the wall : 

But fetid flames with smoke are darted o'er 
And wrap the Christians in a blazing pall- 

Xot Mongibello ever flung such store 

Of reeking fires from out its sulphurous hall : 

Xor Indian skies could ever yet dispense 

Such burning mists in' summer most intense. 



340 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XVI II. 



LXXXIV. 

Yases and rings and burning darts are cast ; 

Here gloomy, and there bloody, flame offends. 
The odour chokes ; the roar stuns, and the blast ; 

The vapour blinds ; and the fire burns and blends. 
The wet skin -will be ill defence at last 

For the tall tow'r, and scarcely now defends ; 
[Now it exudes and crisps, and all discern 
That soon, if Heav'n defer its aid, 'twill burn. 

LXXXV. 

In front the generous Chieftain was descried, 
Nor did he change his station or his hue ; 

But cheer'd on those who pour'd out o'er the dried 
And scorching skins the ready-hoarded dew. 

The water had so copiously been plied, 

That now the stores remaining were but few, 

"When, unforeseen, behold a wind awoke 

And 'gainst its authors roll'd the fiery smoke. 

LXXXVI. 

The whirlwind meets the fire, which being roll'd 
Eack tow'rd the Pagan bales of linen sere, 

Seizes them with a fury uncontrol'd, 

And burns up all of such defensive gear. 

! glorious Chief, who, howsoever bold, 
Art guarded still by God, to God art dear ! 

Heav'n wars for thee, and at thy trumpet's cry 

Th' obedient winds come trooping from the sky. 

LXXXVII. 

The wretch Ismene who saw the sulphurous flame 
By Boreas turn'd against him to his bale, 

Would re-attempt his treacherous arts, and aim 
To master nature and the adverse gale : 

And seen by all upon the height he came 
Betwixt a pair of minist'ring witches pale ; 

Grim, black, and squalid, and with shaggy beard, 

Like Pluto 'twixt two Furies he appear'd. 

LXXXVIII. 

E'en now had Phlegethon and Cocytus whirl'd 
In terror at his murmur'd sounds accurst ; 

E'en now the air grew dark, and in the curl'd 
And gloomy clouds the sun was all immers'd : 

When from the lofty-soaring mass was huii'd 
A mighty stone, part of a mountain erst, 

Which struck them so that in one gory flood 

Are crush'd together all their bones and blood. 



CANTO XVIII. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 341 

LXXXIX, 

In this way their iniquitous heads were strown 

In small and bloody pieces on the ground, 
So that beneath the ponderous rough stone 

The beaten grain so fine is rarely found. 
The three malignant spirits with a groan 

Left the calm air and Heav'n's illumin'd bound, 
And flitted to the impious shades of Hell. 
Hence learn, mortals, true religion well. 

xc. 
Meanwhile the tow'r, to which the wind supplies 

A safeguard from the darted flame and ball, 
So near the city draws, that now it plies 

Its bridge and plants it firmly on the wall. 
But Solyman, intrepid thither, hies 

To cut the narrow pass, and make it fall, 
And heaps his blows, and had successful been, 
But suddenly another tow'r is seen. 

xci. 
The mighty mass increasing seems to soar 

Above the loftiest piles however vast. 
The Paynims awe-struck at the sight, give o'er, 

Seeing their city over-topt at last. 
But the fierce Turk, though clouds of missiles pour 

Upon him at his post, still holds there fast, 
Nor yet despairs to cut the bridge away, 
And cheers and rates the timid to the fray. 

xcn. 
The angel Michael then amid the stour 

To Godfrey, but none else, appear'd on high, 
Girt with celestial arms, whose dazzling pow'r 

Had quench' d the sun though in a cloudless sky. 
" Lo," said he, " Godfrey, is arriv'd the hour 

When Sion shall escape from slav'ry's tie. 
Bend not, bend not down thine eyes dismay'd ; 
See with what forces Heav'n bestows thee aid. 

XCIII. 

" Direct thine eyes to look at yon immense 

Immortal army in the air array'd ; 
For I will take from thee the cloud so dense 

Of thy humanity which with its shade 
Envelopes and bedims the mortal sense ; 

So that the spirits shall naked be survey 'd, 
And thou sustain the rays for a brief space 
Of those angelic forms in all their grace, 



342 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XVIII. 

XCIV. 

" The souls of those who fought for Christ attend 

Above there, now made citizens of the skies ; 
These fight with thee, and find them at the end 

And crowning point of this renown'd emprise. 
There where the waving dust and vapour blend, 

And where the lofty piles of ruin rise, 
Mid yon thick cloud Hugo puts forth his powers 
And beats at the foundations of the towers. 

xcv. 
" See there how Dudon with his weapon shears 

The northern gate, and wheels the flame in air : 
Supplies the combatants with arms, and cheers 

The rest to mount, and holds the ladder fair. 
There on the hill in sacred vest appears, 

With sacerdotal crown around his hair, 
The pastor Ademar, pure soul divine, 
Lo. still he blesses you, and shapes the sign. 

XCVL 

" Lift higher up thy daring eyes and view 

The whole majestic host of Heav'n combin'd." 
He rais'd his glance and in one mass there flew 

Innumerable armies on the wind : 
Three crowded squadrons ; and each squadron drew 

Itself into three ranks in curves defin'd ; 
But the' outer circles were the more increased 
In numbers, and the inner were the least. 

xcvu. 
Here sank his vanquish' d eyes ; and when his sight 

Return d, he saw no more that mighty show ; 
But, marking every where his army's plight, 

Perceiv'd that victory guided every blow. 
Behind Einaldo many a famous knight 

Clomb up ; he, up already, slew the foe. 
The Chief, who seem'd inactive now to stand, 
Pluck'd the great standard from its bearer's hand. 

XCVIII. 

And first pass'd o'er the bridge : in threatening guise 
To stop his path the Soldan's form arose. 

A narrow passage ample field supplies 

For boundless valom shown in a few blows. 

" My life I offer up," the Soldan cries, 

" To save the lives of others ; wherefore close 

Behind me, friends, and cut the bridge away, 

For here do I abide no easy prey." 



CANTO xvill. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 343 

XCIX. 

But thither he perceiv'd Einaldo tend 

With dreadful face before which none remain. 
" What shall I do 1 If here my life I spend, 

I spend and lose it," cried he, " quite in vain." 
And planning new defences, in the end 

He left the chief free passage o'er the lane, 
Who threat 'ning follow' d him, and on the wall 
Planted the standard of the Cross o'er all. 

c. 
The conquering ensign proudly seems to veer 

Around and in a thousand folds to sway : 
And all the gales which breathe on it appear 

More reverent; o'er it brighter shines the day; 
Each arrow launch' d against it and each spear 

With awe stops short of it, or turns away : 
Glad Sion seems to worship it, and now 
The mountain opposite to bend its brow. 

ci. 
Then all the squadrons raise the joyful cry 

Of victory, and to the mighty chime | 
The hills resound, and oft and oft reply. 

And Tancred almost at that point of time 
Breaks through and conquers all defences nigh, 

Spite of Argante's valour, though sublime ; 
And, launching forth his bridge with trifling loss 
Leaps to the wall and rears on it the Cross. 

en. 
But tow'rd the southern wall where Raymond hoar 

Encounters gallantly the Syrian king, 
The Gascon warriors have not yet flung o'er 

From tow'r to city the connecting wing, 
The king being aided by his choicest corps 

Who obstinate to their defences cling ; 
And though the wall there be less firm, yet still 
'Tis more protected by mechanic skill. 

cm. 

Besides that o'er a path less smooth and trite 

Than elsewhere the grand mass must needs career : 

And art could not effect that in the site 

Xo trace of its rough nature should appear. 

Meanwhile the lofty sounds of victory smite 
On the defenders and the Gascon's ear ; 

And warn the Tolosan and Tyrant too 

That tow'rd the plain the city is won through. 



344 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XVIII. 



CIV. 

Whence to his troops ; u The city now is ta'en, 

friends, in other quarters/' Raymond cries ; 
" Resists it, then, when won? Mnst we remain 

Alone no sharers in the great emprise i " 
But the king yielding, since it were in vain 

To hold that portion, to another flies, 
A spot rais'd high, and made extremely strong, 
Where hopes he to ward off th' assailant long. 

av. 
Then enter'd all the victor camp in haste 

Nor through the walls alone, hut gates, they plied ; 
For open'd, batter'd, burnt, and made a waste 

Is all of clos'd or strong which once defied. 
The wrath of steel broke loose, and Death now pac'd 

With Strife and Horror, comrades at his side. 
The blood stood still in gory pools, and sped 
In rivers nll'd with dying and with dead. 



345 



CANTO XIX. 

ARGUMENT. 

If, Tancred, the Circassian felt before 

Thy prowess, now it makes him bite the plain. 

But, if he fall, thou fallest, and no more 

Thy heart seems warm, thy feet their force retain. 

If thou arrive, Erminia, thou'lt deplore 

And cure at once him whom thou seest half-slain. 

And if thine arts, Pagan, be complete, 

The Faithful know thine arts, and can defeat. 

I. 

Death, or design, or fear had now dispers'd 

The Pagan force, and all defence had wan'd ; 
And only at the walls, thus rent and hurst, 

The obstinate Argante still remain'd. 
Intrepid and secure as at the first 

He fought on cheerly though by foes enchain'd. 
Far more than death he dreaded seeming flying, 
And fain would look unvanquish'd e'en in dying. 

ii. 
But more than all the rest resolv'd and stern 

Came Tancred, striking him with deadly aim. 
Quick was the fierce Circassian to discern 

By his mien, his acts, his arms well known to fame, 
That former foe who promis'd to return 

When six days had elaps'd, yet never came ; 
Hence cried he : " Tancred, is it thus thy plight 
Is kept to me ? Eesum'st thou thus the fight % 

in. 
" Late thou resum'st it, nor alone ; yet still 

I wait thee, and will re-essay thee here ; 
Though not with knightly hut mechanic skill 

Thou com'st against me like an engineer. 
Beshield thee with thy troops ; find out at will 

Fresh instruments of war, and unknown gear ; 
For thou shalt not scape death from this my hand, 
O slayer of the dames, renown'd and grand." 



346 



T0RQUAT0 TASSO. 



CANTO XIX. 



i'iii 



I! i ll ! 



IV. 

Good Tancred smil'd a smile of huge disdain, 

And then in haughtiest accents he replied : 
" Late is my coming, but thou wilt maintain 

Ere long 'tis hasty, spite of all thy pride, 
And wish me sever'd from thee by a chain 

Of towering Alps, or by an ocean wide ; 
And thou shalt see by trial that nor fear, 
Nor villainy, have plac'd me in arrear. 

v. 
" Come thou aside then, thou whose chivalry 

Slays giants only and heroes • here at hand 
Thee does the slayer of the dames defy." 

So speaks he, and then turns him to his band, 
And cries, as he puts all assailants by, 

" Cease to molest him now at my command ; 
For this is mine, and not the common foe, 
And him on me long standing ties bestow." 

VI. 

" Come down alone now, or with others' aid, 
E'en as thou wilt," th' Egyptian fierce replies : 

" Go to a crowded spot, or desert glade, 
I quit thee not for odds, nor dark surmise." 

The haughty challenge having thus been made, 
They move to the grand strife in tranquil guise. 

Hate goes with both of them, and rancour warm 

Makes one foe guard the other foe from harm. 

VII. 

Grand zeal for honor, and a grand desire 
Has Tancred for the Pagan's blood in war : 

Nor deems that he can sate his thirsty ire 
If other hand than his inflict a scar. 

He screens him with his shield : " Strike not, retire," 
He cries to whom he meets while yet afar ; 

So that he draws his foe, mid friends in swarms, 

Secure from their enrag'd and conquering arms. 

VIII. 

They issue from the city, and leave behind 

The Frank encampment throng'd with many a tent \ 

And enter a dark pathway seen to wind 
Far onward and circuitously bent ; 

And lying amid several hills they find 
A shady narrow vale, shap'd as if meant 

To be a theatre, or one had suppos'd 

For chase or war such might have been enclos'd. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 347 

IX. 

Both halt here ; and Argante, yet suspense, 

Turn'd him to where th' afflicted city lay. 
Tancred perceives the Pagan lack defence 

Of shield, and throws his own at once away : 
Then says to him : "What thought absorbs thy sense? 

Deem'st thou that this is thine appointed day ] 
If scar'd thou stand, foreseeing this thy fate, 
Inopportune thy fear is, and too late." 

x. 
" My thoughts," he said, " tow'rd yonder city strain, 

Judaea's ancient queenly capital ; 
I think 'tis lost, and I have striven in vain 

To be the prop against its fatal fall ; 
And that the vengeance given to my disdain 

By Heav'n upon thy head will be but small." 
He ceas'd : and forward cautiously they go, 
For each well knows the prowess of his foe. 

XI. 

Tancred is nimble in his frame, and light, 
And wonderfully swift with hands and feet. 

Argante tow'rs above him much in height, 
And none with him in size of limb compete. 

Tancred is bent, and gathers up his might 
To make his onward rush, and to retreat ; 

And with his sword he feels the hostile sword. 

And uses every art to foil and ward. 

XII. 

Extended and erect, Argante shows 

Like art, but with a bearing not the same : 

Far forth as possible his great arm goes, 

Nor seeks his foeman's weapon, but his frame. 

That one makes ever new attempts to close : 
This at the face points constantly his aim, 

And threatens, and stands eager to prevent 

The stealthy close, and lunge suddenly sent. 

XIII. 

Thus a sea fight, when hush'd are all the gales, 

Betwixt two vessels, an unequal pair, 
Is render' d equal, for the one prevails 

In height and one in speed beyond compare : 
One, turning and returning oft, assails 

The prow, the stern ; one stands unmoving there, . 
And when the slighter one approaches nigh 
From highly soaring deck threats ruin high. 



348 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIX. 

XIV. 

While to avoid the steel which he descries 

Opposing hira, the Latin cedes the sward, 
Argante shakes the blade and at his eyes 

Presents the point : he takes him to his guard ; 
But then so rapidly the Pagan hies 

To swing the blow, that it outruns all ward, 
And strikes the side ; and seeing the side soil'd, 
He cries aloud : " Behold the toiler foil'd ! " 

xv. 
Betwixt disdain and shame is Tancred sway'd, 

And lets at once his wonted caution go ; 
And grasps at his revenge, as if he weigh' d 

As merely loss a victory so slow : 
The taunt he answers only with his blade, 

And aims against the helm a mighty blow. 
Argante wards it ; and with daring strength 
Tancred has sprung within a half sword's length. 

XVI. 

And then his left foot makes a rapid stride ; 

His left hand seizes the right arm on high ; 
Meanwhile his better hand on the right side 

Is making the most deadly stabs from nigh. 
" This to the conquering master," thus he cried, 

" The conquer' d foiler renders in reply." 
The Paynim twists and shakes him in a storm, 
But cannot extricate th' imprison' d arm. 

XVII. 

Letting the sword at last swing by its chain 
Himself upon th' Italian knight he flung. 

The same did Tancred ; and with mighty strain 
One trod the other, one to the' other clung. 

Nor with more force from off the sandy plain 
The giant in Alcides' grasp was hung, 

Than that with which in everchanging guise 

Their nervous arms now made tenacious ties. 

XYIII. 

Entwin'd and shaken with a force so great, 
Down on their sides at once to earth they go. 

Argante, were it art, or kinder fate, 

The right arm has above, the left below : 

But the Prank warrior cannot extricate 
The hand best fitted to inflict the blow ; 

Whence, seeing himself at disadvantage put, 

He disentangles him, and springs on foot. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 349 

XIX. 

The Saracen lifts him later ; and before 

Well lifted, him a mighty cut surprises : 
But as the pine bends down to the wind's roar 

Its leafy top, and in an instant rises ; 
So does his valour make him rise and soar 

When most of all struck down as one surmises. 
And now alternate blows once more are sped : 
The combat has less art, and grows more dread. 

xx. 
In several points the blood from Tancred flows ; 2S 

But from the Pagan is a torrent rain'd : 
With lessen'd force his rage now languid grows 

Like flame with aliment but ill sustain'd. 
Tancred who saw him slowly wield his blows 

With arm from which the vital pow'r is drain'd, 
Quenches in his great heart its former fires, 
And calmly speaks him thus, as he retires : 

XXI. 

" Yield thee, brave man ; or recognize in me 

Thy conqueror, or recognize thy fate : 
I seek no triumph from thee and no fee ; 

Nor claim I o'er thee any pow'r or state." 
The Pagan, fierce to an unknown degree, 

Wakens and draws together all his hate. 
He answers : " Vauntest thou thy better case? 
And dar'st thou tempt Argante with disgrace % 

XXII. 

u Use thou thy fortune ; for I feel no dread, 

1ST or will I fail thy folly to requite." 
As will a torch at last, ere life be fled, 

Blaze with new force and die in brilliant light, 
So, filling up with rage his blood half shed, 

Did he invigorate his waning might ; 
And would illuminate and render grand 
The hours of death which now seem'd near at hand. 

XXIII. 

He lifts his left hand to its comrade's side 
And with the two combin'd lets fall a blow, 

Which though it feel the hostile blade applied 
To parry, beats it off, nor stays e'en so, 

But, dropping to the shoulder, opens wide 
From rib to rib in one wound a whole row. 

If Tancred fears not, Nature made, tis 'clear, 

His daring breast incapable of fear. 



350 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIX. 

XXIV. 

He doubles the dread blow ; and on the breeze 

His fiuy and his force are vainly laid : 
For Tailored, watching for the stroke, foresees 

Its corning force, and springs back from the blade. 
Thou, diagg'd by thine own weight, on chin and knees 

Fell'st down. Argante, nor thyself could'st aid. 
Thou fell'st by thine own action, blest so far 
That none could boast to hurl thee down in war. 

XXV. 

His falling made the gaping wounds ope wide, 
And the press'd blood descended in a rill. 

He plac'd his left hand on the ground and tried, 
Erected on one knee, to fight on still. 

" Yield thee," once more the courteous victor cried, 
And pausing made fresh offers of good will. 

Meanwhile his blade by stealth the other flung 

And clave his heel ; and threats came from his tongue. 

XXVI. 

Then Tancred cried, urg'd on by fury's flame, 

"Felon, abusest thou my pity so ?" 
Then thrust and re -thrust with unerring aim 

His sword into the bowels of his foe. : 
Argante died ; in death and life the same ; 

With threats he died, nor did he languid grow. 
Haughty and formidable and fierce were shown 
His latest gesture and his latest tone. 

XXVII. 

Tancred replaced his sword ; and then, devout, 
Thank'd Heav n for the triumphal grace bestow'd. 

But almost had that victory worn out 

The victor's force, his blood so largely now'd. 

And with that waning force much does he doubt 
If he can bear the motion o'er the road : 

Yet he sets out, and, moving pace by pace, 

His weary feet their former path retrace. 

XXVIII. 

Xo further can he drag his limbs so weak ; 

And still the more he strives, the worse the pain : 
Whence on the ground he sits, and lays his cheek 

On his right hand which trembles like a cane. 
His eyes in vain the whirling objects seek ; 

And day to him in darkness ends its reign. 
At last he faints, and scarce can one descry 
The victor from the vanquished where they lie. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED, 351 

XXIX. 

While here the single war had been pursued 

With so much heat which private cause had bred, 
The victors' ire ran over and was strew'd 

Through Sion on the guilty people's head. 
What pen was ever yet with pow'r endued 

To sketch the images of woe and dread 
In that beleaguer' d land? What tongue could sound 
The fierce and mournful spectacle around 1 

xxx. 
Fell slaughter reigns throughout, and bodies rest 

In heaps and mountains pil'd, and in one lair 
The wounded on the slain He here, and, press'd 

By tombless dead, the faint entomb' d lie there. 
The wailing mothers folding to the breast 

Their babes are flying with dishevel'd hair ; 
And the strong spoiler loaded with his spoil 
Drags by her locks the virgin o'er the soil. 

XXXI. 

But through the streets which from the west uprose 
To the' utmost height where the grand Temple is 

All horrid and bedew'd with blood from foes, [plac'd, 
Binaldo rush'd, and th' impious people chas'd. 

The generous one inflicted cruel blows 

With slaughtering force on heads in armour cas'd. 

Frail shelter now was every helm and shield ; 

Here 'twas defence to have no arms to wield. 

XXXII. 

He uses noble steel on steel alone, 

And on the weak disdains to vent his fire ; 

And swiftly with a glance, or dreadful tone, 
He makes the timid and unarm'd retire. 

From valour's pow'r what strange effects are shown ! 
How now he scorns, now threats, now smites with ire : 

How with unequal risk are put to rout 

Equally those with arms, and those without ! 

XXXIII. 

A troop not small, of warriors the most bold, 

With crowds of weak ones, to that Temple are gone 

Still call'd, though burnt oft and re-built of old, 
From the great founder's name, of Solomon ; 

By whom 'twas at the first enrich' d with gold, 
With cedar, and with fairest kinds of stone : 

Less rich 'tis now, but still its strength is great 

W^ith many a lofty tow'r and iron gate. 



352 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIX. 






XXXIV. 

Th* illustrious knight having arriv'd where these 
Had gain'd a broad and lofty place of might, 

Finds every gate there clos'd, and also sees 
Much of defence prepar'd upon the height. 

He lifts his dreadful glance, and twice from frieze 
To basement scans the whole with piercing sight, 

Seeking a narrow pass ; and twice around 

The spacious pile his nimble footsteps bound. 

XXXV. 

As prowls the robber wolf when day is past 

Around the guarded fold with treacherous sweep ; 
His greedy jaws are dry and from long fast 

His native hatred and his rage are deep : 
So all around his searching looks are cast 

To find some entrance over smooth or steep. 
At last he stops in the large square, and they 
On high expect his onset with dismay. 

xxxvi. 
There lay apart, whate'er the' intention true 

For which 'twas kept, a beam whose length was great : 
Nor yard so tall and stout did ever crew 

Stretch over Genoan ship of largest freight. 
This to the mighty portal the knight drew 

With hand which felt not the most ponderous weight : 
And, poising it as when a lance is cast, 
He thrust it forth impetuous and vast. 

XXXVII. 

No stone nor steel could bear a stroke so hard, 
Eepeated too more fiercely than before. 

The sounding hinges from the stone were jarr'd, 
The bolts were burst, and the gates toppled o'er. 

Not e'en the ram had boasted, nor bombard, 
^ The thunderbolt of death, to' accomplish more. 

Crowds through the path laid open surge along 

In torrents, and the victor aids the throng. 

XXXVIII. 

Dread slaughter fills with darkness and with woe 
The lofty house which was the house of God. 

! Heav'nly justice, the less swift the blow, 
The heavier on the guilty falls thy rod ! 

Wak'd by thy foresight, gentle bosoms grow 
Resentful, and turn cruel at thy nod. 

With his own blood the impious Pagan stained 

That Temple which before he had profaned. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 353 

XXXIX. 

But Solyman meanwhile hied tow'rd the tower 
Stupendous, which from David takes its name ; 

And hither drew the remnant of their power, 
And barr'd each path against the foeman's aim. 

The tyrant Aladine too sought that bower, 
To whom the Soldan, seeing him as he came : 

" Up, up ! famous king • and on this rock 

Of mighty strength be safe from every shock. 

XL. 

" For hither from the rage and swords of all, 
With life and sceptre sav'd, thou may'st retire." 

u Alas ! " he cries, " alas ! how city and wall 
Are shaken to their base by barbarous ire • 

And my own life and our great empire fall ! 
I liv'd and reign'd ; now reign not, nor respire, 

\Vell may we say : we were. To all is come 

The latest hour, th' inevitable doom." 

XLI. 

i: \Vhere is thy valour, Sire, once nobly great 1 " 
The Soldan cried, giving his rage the reins. 

" Though kingdoms pass from us through hostile fate 
The kingly grace is ours, in us remains. 

Hie thee within, and re-invigorate 

Thy weary limbs oppress'd with years and pains." 

He speaks, and makes the aged king retreat 

Into that strongly barricaded seat. 

XLIl. 

Then with two hands he grasps an iron mace, 

Replacing his good sabre at his side, 
And, standing at the pass with dauntless face 

Defends the barrier from the Frankish tide. 
The dreadful blows imprint a deadly trace ; 

The least of them beats down, or sweeps aside. 
All from the open square already fly 
Where'er they see the horrid mace come nigh. 

XLIII. 

Lo, Raymond of Toulouse had hither sped, 
Attended by a strong and resolute train. 

The daring old man sprang upon the dead, 

And held those mighty blows in much disdain. 

He struck the first, but vainly, at the head ; 
The second striker did not strike in vain, 

But hit the brow and beat him down to earth 

Supine and trembling, and with arms stretch'd forth. 

2 a 



354 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIX. 

XLIV. 

At last the valour which their fear had quell'd 
Eesum'd e'en in the vanquish'd now its heat ; 

And the Frank victors either were repell'd, 
Or kill'd upon the edge of that retreat. 

But Solyman who mid the slain beheld 
The half-dead leader lying at his feet, 

Cried to his knights : " Draw this man to the rear 

Within the bars, and keep him prisoner here." 

XLV. 

These move to execute the quick command, 
But find a hard and perilous enterprise ; 

For Raymond is by none of his own band 
Neglected ; each one to defend him hies. 

Here fury and there love fight hand to hand, 
]STor mean in worth is the contested prize : 

The liberty, the life of one so great 

Call these to snatch him, those to' avert his fate. 

XLVI. 

Yet had the Soldan vanquish'd at the close, 

So hotly to his dear revenge he rac'd. 
For to his thundering mace 'twas vain to' oppose 

The double shield, or choicest helm have brac'd : 
But he saw fresh and grave aid to his foes 

Arriving from this side and that in haste ; 
For by two paths which into one unite 
Arrive the sov'reign Chief, and the grand knight. 

XLVII. 

As the good shepherd when winds roar around, 
And lightnings flash, and thunderclaps have peal'd, 

Seeing the day in clouds and darkness drown'd, 
Withdraws his flock out of the open field, 

And anxious looks if shelter may be found 

Against the wrath which Heav'n has thus reveal'd : 

He, guiding on the flocks with crook and call 

Before him, comes behind the last of all : 

XLVIII. 

Thus Solyman who heard now more and more 
The coming of that fatal whirlwind blast, 

Which smote the skies with its tremendous roar, 
Cumb'ring with arms each spot o'er which it pass'd, 

Sends on the safely guarded troops before 
To the grand tow'r, and he remains the last ; 

The last departs ; and yields him so to force 

As to seem brave with provident resource. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 355 

XLIX. 

Scarce were they sheltered with successful aim 
Inside the gates, and these were safely chained, 

"When, having burst the bars, Einaldo came 
Up to the threshold, nor e'en there was reined. 

Him strong desire to conquer one whose fame 
Had not an equal, and his oath, constrained ; 

For he forgot not he had vow'd to kill 

Him who had wrought the Dane that mortal ill : 

L. 

And even then, unus'd to all defeat, 

His hand had tried th' impenetrable mure, 

Xor had, perchance, the Soldan in that seat 
Eemain'd from his great fatal foe secure ; 

But now the Captain orders a retreat ; 
And now the whole horizon is obscure. 

Godfrey reposes on the ground intent 

On fresh assault when the dark hours are spent 

LL 

With mien most joyous to his own he cries : 

" Our Christian warfare the great God has bless'd : 

The greatest feat is done j a small emprise 
Awaits us, and no fears henceforth molest 

The last sad hope on which the foe relies, 

Yon tow'r, when day shall dawn we will invest : 

Meanwhile compassion calls us forth to tend 

With anxious love each sick and wounded friend. 

LII. 

" Go comfort those who, now in helpless plight, 
Won with their blood the city which we hold. 

This better far becomes each Christian knight 
Than a desire for vengeance, or for gold. 

Ah, too much slaughter meets e'en now the sight, 
The thirst for prey has been too uncontrol'd. 

Xo further rage nor pillage shall there be : 

Xow let the trumpets publish my decree." 

LIII. 

He ceas'd and then betook him where the Count 
Recover'd from the blow, still felt its dole. 

Xor spake the Soldan with less daring front, 
While he compress'd the grief within his soul : 

" comrades, still in spite of fortune's brunt 
Our flow'r of hope is nourishing and whole ; 

For under the deep semblance of a cross, 

Which much deceives, this day lies little loss. 



356 TORQTTATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIX. 



LTV. 

,; Tli? wall? and roofs alone, and humble crew, 
Have yet been won. the city is not ta'en ; 

For in the king's head, in your bosoms true, 
And in your hands the city doth remain. 

I see the king safe : safe his choicer few ; 
I see tall ramparts lift us from the plain. 

Let the Franks triunroh o'er the land we cast 

Away from us : they'll lose the war at last. 

IV. 

•• And sure am I they'll lose at last, for fluslid 
"With insolence in this their prosperous day. 

To murder and to rapine have thev rush' a. 
And frail embraces in the open way. 

And they with ease will be oppressed and crush' d 
Mid rums, mid then passions, and then prey. 

If in such outrage ever shall appear 

Th' Egyptian host ; and it must now be near. 

LVI. 

" Meanwhile our stones and missiles hence expose 
The city's tallest heights to certain doom : 

And hence will our machines deprive can foes 
Of every pathway leading to the Tomb." 

Thus vigour into weary hearts he throws. 

And in the' unfortunate makes hope re-bloom. 

Xow while such scenes are on this spot displav'd 

Through myriads of arm'd bands Yafrine had stray' d. 

LVII. 

Elected as a spy on the' adverse host 

When dav had now declin'd. Yafrine had gone : 
And hied Through, an obscure and lonely coast. 

A traveller nocturnal and alone. 
He pass'd by Ascalon's defended post 

Ere morn from th' Eastern balcony had shone. 
Then when the solar lamp had reach' d its height 
The enemy's strong encampment came in sight, 

LVIII. 

He saw there countless tents and waving high 
Pennons of blue, of yellow, and of grey : 

And heard so many tongues discordant ply, 
S,j many barbarous drums and trumpets play, 

And elephants and camels raise then cry. 
And all around them generous horses neigh, 

That. '• Hither Afric." in himself he said, 

•• And hither all of Asia has been led.' ? 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. OO i 

LIX. 

To note how strong the site is he delays 

One moment, and what trench around it lies : 

Then he attempts no furtive tortuous ways, 
Nor hides him from the frequent people's eyes, 

But, moving straight to where the portals raise 
Their regal front, now questions, now replies. 

To questions, to replies, prompt and astute, 

He joins a brave and cheerful brow to suit. 

LX. 

Something from every quarter he acquires, 

And threads the ways, the squares, the tents by turns. 

He marks the knights, the steeds, and their attires ; 
Observes their arts and rank ; their names he learns : 

Nor yet content, to greater things aspires : 
Spies their occult designs, and part discerns. 

So dextrously and smoothly moves he round 

That access to the sov'reign tent is found. 

LXL 

He sees a rent there in the canvas' face, 

Through which the voice may pass, the sight may 
Which opens just into the inner space [glide. 

Of all which is th' abode of regal pride ; 
So that it keeps the secrets of the place 

But ill from one who listens from outside. 
Vafrine here spies, as if his thoughts were bent 
Elsewhere, and 'twere his task to mend the tent. 

lxii. 
The Captain stands with a bare head reveal'd ; 

And o'er his mail a purple robe is seen. 
. Far off two pages have his helm and shield ; 

He holds a spear on which he seems to lean. 
He looks at one with limbs in armour steel' d, 

Brawny and tall, of stern and cruel mien. 
Vafrine becomes intent, for soon he hears 
The name of Godfrey, and erects his ears. 

LXIII. 

The Chief speaks to him : " Then in this affair 
Thou canst ensure us Godfrey's death indeed?" 

The man replies : "I can : in court I swear 
Not to return unless I shall succeed. 

I will forestall the whole of those who share 
The plot with me, and ask no other meed 

Save to erect in Cairo a fair pile 

For trophied arms, and write this on the style : 



.>00 TOBQUATO TASSO. CAHTC XTX. 

LXIV. 

" These arms in mortal combat Ormond wrung 
From the Frank Chief who ravag'd Asia's plain. 

What time he wrung his life : here are they hung 
A record of the deed while time shall reign." 

•• The courteous king." replied the other's tongue, 
" Unhonor'd will not let that deed remain ; 

What thou demandest he will soon accord ; 

But it shall be conjoin' d with high reward. 

LIT. 

" To make the false arms let the men be stirr'd, 
For now the day of battle near we see." 

•• These," answer'd he, " are made." Having conferral 
Together thus, the leader ceas'd and he. 

Yafrine remain' d at the grand things he heard 
Suspense and doubtful ; and long mentally 

Bevolv'd what plots, and what false arms were plan::' .1. 

Xor all the mystery could he understand. 

LXVI. 

Then did he quit, and all that night remain 
Awake, not willing that his eyes should cl 

But when the camp at early dawn again 
ITnfmTd its banners to the gales that rose, 

He march'd too with the' other people in train ; 
He halted too, where the others sought repose ; 

And yet he still return' d from tent to tent 

To hear aught that might tell of what was meant. 

LXVII. 

He finds upon a seat uprais'd and grand 
Armida with her knights and ladies round. 

She sighs and heeds not that devoted band. 
But seemingly in her own thoughts is clrown'd. 

She leans her cheek upon her ivory hand 

And bends those amorous stars upon the ground. 

We know not if she weep, or no, yet view 

Her eyes all moist, and charg'd with pearls of dew. 

LXVI1I. 

Adrastus opposite her seats him stern, 

Moves not an eyelid, seems not to respire. 

3 3 much does he still hang on her and yearn 
To feed upon her looks his gaunt desire. 

But Trsaphernes, marking each in turn. 
Is now admiring, flaming now with ire : 

And o'er his changing features now there reign 

The hues of love ? now those of fierce disdain. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 35 D 

LXTX. 

Then views he Alt-am ore who had ta'en a place 

Encircled by the maidens there apart. 
He lets not his loose passions freely race, 

But wheels about his greedy eyes with art \ 
Now marks her hand, and now her lovely face ; 

Xow lays a snare for some more guarded part, 
And glides in where the heedless veil displays 
Between her breasts the most secluded ways. 

LXX. 

At last Armida lifts her sparkling eyes, 

And her fair front grows somewhat more serene, 

And suddenly amid the cloud of sighs 

A sweet smile opes and hashes on the scene. 

" Calling to mind your vaunt, Sire," she cries, 
" My soul must needs diminish its chagrin \ 

For shortly it expects revenge complete ; 

And wrath expecting its revenge is sweet." 

LXXI. 

" Ah smooth thy sorrowing brow," the Indian said, 
" I do entreat by Heav'n, and calm thy woe ; 

For soon shall that Binaldo's impious head, 
Dissever'd, at thy feet be lying low ; 

Or by this vengeful hand shall he be led 
A prisoner hither, if thou wish it so." 

Thus did he swear. The other who hears all 

Says not a word, but gnaws his heart in gall. 

LXXII. 

Turning to Tisaphernes with delight, 

" What, Sire, say'st thou 1 ?" she added. He replied 
Tauntingly : "I, who am but slow in fight, 

Follow the valour afar off descried 
Of this thy terrible and gallant knight." 

Bitterly with these words he gall'd his pride. 
The Indian then resum'd : " 'Tis well for thee 
To follow afar, and fear to rival me" 

LXXIII. 

Said Tisaphernes while his proud head sway'd : 
" Would I were lord of mine own wishes here, 

And had unfetter' d empire o'er this blade ! 
For then which is the slower would appear. 

Me, savage, thy grand vaunts have not dismay'd, 
'Tis Heav'n and hostile love which make me fear." 

He ceas'd : Adrastus to defy him rose ; 

Armida stopt this, quick to interpose. 



360 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CAXTO XIX. 



LXXIV. 

She said : " cavaliers, why thus reclaim 
The gift ye oft have boasted to bestow ? 

Ye are my champions, and this very name 

Should make your mutual anger cease to glow. 

Who quarrels, 'tis with me : whoe'er shall aim 
An insult, I am hurt : and this ye know." 

Thus speaking, she makes concord, and controls 

Under an iron yoke discordant souls. 

LXXV. 

Vafrine is present, and gives heed to all ; 

And culling out the truth he moves away. 
He spies a deep-laid plot beneath a pall 

Of silence, and from this there comes no ray. 
Sometimes he asks of it with caution small, 

And the desire increases from delay : 
Either to die there is his mind resolv'd, 
Or bear off the great secret thus involv'd. 

LXXYI. 

A thousand ways of which none else would dream, 
A thousand unaccustom'd frauds he tries : 

Yet still the arms and method of the scheme 
So darkly hid escape his piercing eyes. 

Fortune at last, when hope had ceas'd to gleam, 
Unties the knot of his perplexities ; 

So that he can distinctly understand 

What snares against the pious Chief are plann'd. 

LXXVII. 

He had gone back again to where still stay'd, 
Seated among her knights, the love-sick foe ; 

For there he deem'd his search would most have aid, 
Where people of all ranks came to and fro. 

Here then did he address him to a maid 
As if acquainted with her long ago ; 

As if their friendship sprang from ancient source : 

And spake with her in affable discourse. 

LXXVIII. 

He said to her as if in jest : " I too 

Would be the champion of some fair 'mong these ; 
And with my sword I think that I could hew 

Einaldo's head, or Bouillon's, off with ease. 
Ask of me, if thou wish such toy to view, 

Some barbarous baron's head, whiche'er thou please." 
Thus he begins, and means ere much has pass'd, 
To turn the jest to graver theme at last. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 361 

LXXIX. 

But saying this, he smil'd, and thus express' d 
A natural look which he forgot to hide. 

Another just arriving on some hest 

Heard him, and gaz'd, and came up to his side. 

" I mean," she said, " to steal thee from the rest ; 
Xor shall thy love unworthily be employ' d. 

I choose thee for my champion ; and thine ear 

I ask apart, as mine own cavalier." 

LXXX. 

She drew him then aside, and said : " Yafrine, 

I know thee well ; and thou, too, should'st know me." 

The crafty squire felt in his heart chagrin, 

Yet turn'd him tow'rd her with a smile of glee : 

"Far as I know, thy face I ne'er have seen; 
And yet 'tis one which all must wish to see : 

This know I well, my name is diff'rent quite 

From that by which thou deem'st me to be hight. 

LXXXI. 

" Me where Biserta's genial plains extend 
Lesbina bare, and nam'd me Almanzore." 

" Tuscan," she said, " I know from end to end 
Thy story, yet will not bring forth my lore. 

Hide not thyself from me who am thy friend, 
And for thy good would venture loss, yea more. 

Frminia, I, to whom a throne was due, 

Servant to Tancred erst, as thou wert too. 

LXXXII. 

" Under thy charge two joyful months I lay 
A pitied prisoner in sweet prisoning cell, 

Tended by thee in many a courteous way. 
I am the same ; the very same : look well." 

The squire, whose glances took a quick survey, 
Eecall'd the face adorn'd with beauty's spell. 

" Thou'rt safe from me," once more she then begun : 

" I swear it by this Heav'n and by this sun. 

LXXXIII. 

" Yea, I entreat thee, when thou shalt return, 
To lead me back to my dear prison there : 

Wretched ! in bitter liberty I mourn 

The darksome day, and all night long despair. 

And if here as a spy dost thou sojourn, 

Then thou hast met with fortune high and rare : 

From me shalt thou learn well the plots design'd, 

And all which elsewhere thou canst hardly find." 



362 



TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XIX. 



LXXXIV. 

So spake she ; and he silently gave heed ; 

He thought upon Armida's guile and pride. 
Woman's a garrulous treach'rous thing indeed, 

Wills, and wills not • in such but fools confide. 
So thought he. " Xow if thou wilt fain proceed," 

At last he said, " I will become thy guide. 
Be this agreed and fix'd betwixt us two : 
Reserve the rest till time more meet ensue." 

LXXXV. 

Speedily as they can they give the hest 
To mount on saddle ere the camp arise. 

Vafrine then quits the tent ; she to the rest 
Returns, and stays awhile to baulk surmise. 

Of her new champion she affects to jest, 

And prattles, and then forth at last she hies : 

Comes to the place prescrib'd, and joins him here ; 

And then they speed to the' open country near. 

LXXXVI. 

Xow had they reach'd a spot remote and lone, 
And now the Saracen tents were lost to sight ; 

When thus commenc'dhe : u Prithee, now make known 
What snares are for the life of Godfrey dight." 

Then she unfolds the web which has been strown 
Of that iniquitous plot in broadest light. 

" Eight warriors of the court there are," she said, 

" The pow'rful Ormond being at their head : 

LXXXVII. 

" These, whether mov'd by anger or by hate, 

Have now conspir'd ; hear thou their art reveal' d : 

That day which shall decide on Asia's fate 

When the two mighty camps contest the field, 

Mark'd with the Cross their arms will imitate 

Those of the Franks in crest and mail and shield. 

And as the guard of the good Bouillon wears 

A robe of white and gold, such will be their's. 

LXXXVIII. 

" But each will bear a thing upon his crest 
To mark each Pagan out to his own race. 

And when the hosts are blent and densely press'd, 
Then will they put themselves upon his trace, 

And lay their snares against that valorous breast, 
Exhibiting his guardsmen's friendly face : 

And arm'd with poison will they have their steel, 

That death may follow every wound they deal. 



CANTO XTX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 363 

LXXXIX. 

" And since among the Pagans it was known 

I know your uses, arms, and robes aright, 
They made me plan the false marks to he shown, 

And do things which are grievous in my sight. 
These causes for my moving forth I own : 

From others' harsh commands I take my flight. 
I shun and hate polluting myself still 
In any act of fraud, be't what it will. 

xc. 
" These causes mov'd me; and yet others too." 

And here she ceas'd, and the deep blushes came, 
And down she look'd, and seem'd as if she drew 

The last words back, their utterance was so lame. 
The squire who wish'd to win from her the clue 

Which she had kept back to herself through shame, 
Said, " Thou of little faith, why wilt thou hide 
The truer causes from thy faithful guide ] " 

xci. 
She gave a deep sigh after short delay, 

And spake then in a hoarse and trembling tone : 
" 111- guarded and untimely shame, away ! 

Within this heart no more thou find'st a throne. 
Why, vainly wilful and reserv'd, essay 

To hide the fire of love thus with thine own ? 
All these respects should long since have been weigh'd, 
Not now I am become a wandering maid." 

XCII. 

She then subjoin'd : " Upon that night of fate 
When I and my dear country also, fell, 

My loss was more than seem'd ; in her I date 
My grand ill, but she didn't evoke the spell. 

A kingdom is light loss : my regal state 
Alone I lost not, but myself as well. 

Xe'er to regain them then I lost my mind, 

My heart, my senses, foolish one, and blind ! 

XCIII. 

" Yafrine, thou know'st that terrified I ran 
Mid all the slaughter, plunder, and wild roar 

To thine and my lord, whom I ehanc'd to scan 
First putting foot upon my palace floor ; 

And bending down to him, I thus began : 
1 Great conqueror, mercy, pity I implore : 

I ask thee not for life.; but save my flow'r 

Of virgin honor in this dreadful hour.' 






36-t TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIX. 

XCIV. 

••' Giving his hand at once my hand to greet, 

He waited not till I had elos'd my pray'r : 
1 Fair virgin, not in vain dost thou intreat ; 

This to defend,' lie said. *' shall he my care.' 
Then an I know not what of soft and sweet 

Went down into my heart, and settled there ; 
Which, creeping .soon my longing soul around, 
Became, I know not how, a flame and wound. 

xcv. 
" He visited me oft, and with sweet cheer 

Consoling me in sorrow, shard my pain. 
He said : ' I grant thee perfect freedom here ; ' 

And nought of all my spoils would he retain. 
Ah ! rapine 'twas, though gift it might appear ; 

For he re-bound me when he loos'd my chain : 
He gave me back the least and poorest part, 
But seiz'd perforce the empire of my heart. 

XCVI. 

" Love hardly can be hidden. Oft would I 
Ask of my lord from thee with anxious quest. 

The marks of a sick mind didst thou descry, 

And said'st : ' Erminia, love has burnt thy breast." 

I still denied it, but an ardent sigh 

Beveal'd the truth which vainly I suppressYl : 
And haply, too, my looks distinctly show'd, 
'Stead of my tongue, the fire with which I glow'd. 

XCVII. 

" Silence ill-starr'd ! To the agonizing dole 
Some medicine should then have been applied, 

If my desire at last without control 

Must needs rush on with unavailing stride. 

In fine, I quitted bearing in my soul 

The hidden wounds, and thought I should have died. 

Seeking at length some help in life's decay, 

Love tore the ties of all respect. away. 

XCVIII. 

II ^o that I niov'd to find my lord, (thou know'st 

That he who made me sick could make me sound,) 
But midway I encounter' d with a host 

Of mean and savage men who barr'd the ground 
And I had fall'n into their hands almost ; 

Yet flying far, a lonely spot I found, 
And liv'cl there in a solitary cell 
A shepherdess, and roam'd the bosky dell 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 365 

XCTX. 

u But after that the great desire, which fear 

Had for some days repress 1 d, again grew vast, 
Attempting to return to the same sphere, 

Into the same misfortune was I cast. 
And here I could not fly ; for now too near 

The rohber trooj) had drawn, and ran too fast. 
Thus was I taken, and Egyptians they 
"Who seiz'd me, and to Gaza took their way ; 

c. 
" And gave me to their Chief, and I explained 

To him my tale ; such winning words I chose 
That honor' d and inviolate I remained 

While with Armida there I found repose. 
Thus several times by force was I detained, 

And set at large. Behold, how hard my woes ! 
Yet liberated oft, and oft a thrall, 
I still reserve my primal chains through all. 

ci. 
" And ! may he who round my soul could bind 

Those chains which none can evermore untie, 
Not say : ' Go, wandering damsel, hence and find 

Other abode,' and will not have me nigh ; 
But welcome my return with pity kind, 

Xor sojourn in my former cell deny." 
kSo spake Erminia, and by night and day 
The two went on, conversing on the way. 

en. 
From the more beaten path A^afrine withdrew, 

Seeking one more secure or short instead. 
Already were the city tow'rs in view 

When, as the East grew dark, the W 7 est grew red, 
They found the path bestain'd with sanguine hue, 

And saw then in the blood a warrior dead, 
Who blocks the path, and holds up his grand face 
To Heav'n, and threatens e'en in death's embrace. 

cm. 
The arms and dress in which the corpse was dight 

Bespake it Pagan ; o'er it pass'd Vafrine. 
Another, who then quickly caught his sight, 

Was lying some way off upon the green. 
He mutely thought : This is the Christian knight : 

But waver'd more when the dark dress was seen. 
Down does he leap, and makes the face appear ; 
And cries : " Alas ! Tancred is murder'd here ! " 



366 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIX. 

CIV. 

To gaze on the fierce warrior who was clad 

In foreign arms the lnckless one had stay'd, 
When by that cry so sndden and so sad 

Her heart was pierc'd as by a poignant blade. 
At Tancred's name, like one all drunk and mad, 

She rush'd to where his breathless frame was laid ; 
And seeing the pale face so calmly sweet, 
Descended — no, she hurl'd her from her seat ; 

cv. 
And o'er him ponr'd in unexhausted rain 

Her tears and words commingled with her sighs : 
" To what a wretched pass do I attain 3 

Ah ! what a bitter sight before me lies ! 
At last I find thee, Tancred, once again ; 

Ee-see thee, but unseen by those dear eyes, 
Unseen though present • worse e'en than before, 
On finding thee I lose thee evermore. 

cvi. 
" Alas ! I deem'd that never but with glee 

Mine eyes could view thee during all my days : 
Now could I gladly bear all blind to be 

Not to behold thee, and I dare not gaze. 
Ah ! where the light of eyes which beam'd on me 

So sweetly playful 1 where their hidden rays 1 
Whither has flown the lovely crimson now 
Of thy young cheek, the calmness of thy brow ? 

CVTI. 

" But what though stain' d and dark 1 thou'rt pleasing 
Fair soul, if yet thou lingerest in this frame, [still. 

And hear'st my plaint, pardon my daring will 
The theft and rash design at which I aim. 

From the pale lips I would snatch kisses chill 
'Stead of the warmer ones I hop'd to claim. 

Part of his due from death will I curtail 

By kissing these dear lips, now cold and pale. 

CVIII. 

" Ah ! pitying mouth, which in sweet times of old 
Would'st with thy words console my grief, and heal, 

Let me before my parting be consol'd 

With some dear kiss from thee, for which I kneel. 

And haply thou hadst given, had I been bold 
To seek it erst, what now I needs must steal. 

Xow let me press thee home, and then resign 

My breath for ever 'twixt these lips of thine. 









CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 367 

CIX. 

" Eeceive my soul which seeks what it ador'd ; 

Direct it to the path thy spirit took." 
She spake with groans, and through her eyes she pour'd 

Herself almost, as if become a brook. 
He by that living moisture was restor'd : 

His languid lips each other now forsook 
A little, and with still unopen'd eyes 
He blent along with her's his feeble sighs. 

ex. 
The lady heard the moaning of the knight, 

And thus at least some comfort was supplied. 
" Tancred, ope thine eyes to the last rite 

Which thus I pay thee with my plaint," she cried. 
" Behold me who would take with thee the flight 

To the far bourne, and die here at thy side : 
Behold me ; do not fly away so soon. 
I ask, and 'tis the last, this only boon." 

CXI. 

He opes his eyes ; then drops them as before 

Disturb'd and heavy ; she resumes her strain. 
Vafrine says to her : " This must be no more ; 

"First let us cure him : afterwards complain." 
He doffs his arms ; she, tremulous all o'er, 

Applies her hand to bruise and bleeding vein ; 
Explores the wounds, and being expert to know 
Th' effect of such, her hopes begin to grow. 

cxn. 
She finds his evil from fatigue arise 

And humours in too great abundance flown : 
But save her veil, nought has she which supplies 

Bandage for wounds in spot which is so lone. 
Love then invents for her unusual ties, 

And teaches her compassionate arts unknown : 
She dries them with her hair, with this compresses 
The gaping lids, and fain would shear the tresses ; 

CXIII. 

Since for so many wounds a poor supply 
Is furnish'd from a veil so short and slight. 

She has no dittany, nor saffron nigh, 

But for such case knows many a charm of might. 

E'en now he puts his deadly slumber by : 
E'en now his moving eyes can bear the light. 

He sees his squire ; and over him, array'd 

In foreign garb, beholds the pitying maid. 



368 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XIX. 

CXIV. 

He asks : " Vafrine, how, when arriv'st thou here *? 

And who art thou w T ho tend'st me in my woes ? " 
She, sighing between doubt and joyful cheer, 

Ting'd her fair face with colour from the rose. 
" Thou shalt know all," she answer'd : " now revere 

Thy leech's hest • be silent, and repose ! 
Thou shalt have health : a fee shall I request." 
Then pillow' d she his head upon her breast. 

cxv. 
Meanwhile Vafrine thinks how ere day has died 

To bear him to some home with motion bland ; 
And lo ! a troop of warriors is descried. 

He knows them well, for it is Tancred's band. 
When the knight met Argante, and him defied 

To mortal combat, it was close at hand : 
It follow'd not, because he bade it stay : 
But sought him now in doubt from his delay. 

ex VI. 
And many more had gone on the same quest ; 

But these, by chance, in finding him succeed. 
They make a kind of seat for him, the best 

Their interwoven arms can frame for need. 
Said Ta-ncred then : " And shall Argante rest 

Behind there, and on him shall ravens feed 1 
Ah ! leave him not, by Heav'n ! do not defraud 
A gallant man of burial, nor of laud. 

cxvu. 
" I war no more on mute and lifeless frame : 

He died as brave man should ; and hence we owe 
To his remains what honors death can claim, 

All which on earth it leaves us to bestow." 
Eeceiving aid thus from the many who came, . 

He made them bear behind him his great foe. 
Vafrine then puts himself beside the fair, 
As men draw near to things they guard with care. 

cxvin. 
" Not to my tent," the Prince moreover cried, 

" But to the regal city wend, I pray : 
Because if human accident betide 

My feeble life, there would I quit this clay : 
The spot on which the Man immortal died 

Perchance to heav'nly realms may smoothe the way ; 
And I shall sate my holy longing now 
To have been a pilgrim when I end my vow." 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 369 

CXIX. 

He spake ; and thither being borne, was laid 

Upon the pinnies, and soon his sleep was sweet. 
Vafrine finds not far off him for the maid 

A dwelling close and secret as was meet. 
He hies tow'rd Godfrey thence, and undelay'd 

He enters, thongh jnst then the Chief discreet 
Hung in the scales and weigh' d with cautious skill 
His future counsels with their good and ill. 

cxx. 
Upon the border of the bed where lies 

Count Kayniond's weary frame is Godfrey found. 
A ring of the most powerful and wise, 

Surrounds him, drawn from every quarter round. 
Now while the squire talks with him, none replies 

Nor questions else, nor makes the slightest sound. 
" I went," said he, " Sire, as thou had'st taught, 
Among the Pagans, and their camp I sought. 

CXXI. 

" For me, however, to sum up the tale 

Of that innumerable host were vain. 
I saw it as it pass'd hide every vale, 

And cover every mountain, every plain : 
I saw the rivers and the fountains fail 

Where'er it reach'd, and grass destroy'd, and grain ; 
For scanty for their thirst the streams that flow, 
And small to them what Syrian scythes can mow. 

cxxu. 
" But both the horsemen and the foot, 'tis known, 

Are for the most part useless in the fight : 
People who know not martial rank, nor tone, 

Nor grasp the sword, and but from far can smite. 
Some choice and good indeed there are, I own, 

Who follow Persia's banners, men of might ; 
And they still higher praise, perchance, may wring 
Who hight th' Immortal Squadron of the king. 

cxxni. 
" Tis call'd Immortal, since there ne'er has been 

Defect of number there, not e'en of one ; 
But where one fails, a new man soon is seen, 

Elected ever ere an hour has run. 
The Captain of the host, nam'd Emirene, 

In sense and might has equals few or none : 
And the king bids him tice thee with all art 
To risk a battle in some open part. 

2 B 



TORQUATO TAl C a: 

CXXIV. 

" And if I err not, hither will be led 

The hostile amiy ere two days expire. 
But thou. Binaldo, shouldst guard well thy head, 

F : which there is among them such desire ; 
Since all the most renown' d in arms, and dread, 

"Gainst it have whetted both their steel and ire, 
Because whoe'er shall cut it off, for fee 
May claim Armida by her own decree. 

cxxv 
•• 'Mong these the Persian Altamore I find, 

Great king of Samarcand, a valorous knight : 
Adrastus, too, whose kingdom is assigned 

X :h' eastern limit, one of giant height ; 
A man diverse so from all human kind. 

That he for steed an elephant has dight ; 
And Tisaphemes whom concordant fame 
i : 'vus with the highest praise which knight can claim." 

CXXVI. 

3 . speaks he, and the youth indignant threw 
Sparks from his eyes, and fire was o'er his fa ; 

He would be now amid the hostile crew. 
Xor could contain himself, nor keep his j I 

Vafrine subjoin'd, as tow'rd the Chief he drew, 
• • Thou knowest yet but little of the c - - 

Be now the sum of things in this deelard ; 

"Gainst thee the arms of Judas are prepar'd." 

C XXVII. 

From point to point then did the squire unf jld 

WTiat frauds against him had been wov"n and srirr'd, 

The amis, the pois'n, and treach'rous marks, the bold 
High vaunt, the meed and promise which he heard. 

Much was there ask*d of him, and much he told. 
Among them a brief silence then occurr'd. 

Afterward Godfrey, lifting up his htm 
; Eaymond asks : " VThat is thy : : ousel boy 

CXXVI1I. 

And he : "I deem we should attempt no more. 
As "twas propos'd, th" assault at break of J 

But gird the tow'r more strictly than before, 
That none within it may win thence their wv 

And let our camp meanwhile rest and restore 
Its forces for to-morrow's greater fray. 

Think thou then if "twere best with open force 

I use the swoi .. :: rake a warier course. 



CANTO XIX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 371 

CXXIX. 

" Yet judge I that to thee must it pertain 

Above all else to make thy safety sure ; 
For still through thee we win, through thee we reign : 

AVho without thee can guide us, and secure ] 
And that the traitors may not hidd'n remain, 

Other insignia for thy guards procure : 
Thus will the fraud distinctly he reveal' d 
E'en by the thing in which it lies conceal'd." 

cxxx. 
The Captain made him answer : " Thou hast shown 

As thou art wont a kind will and sage mind. 
But what thou leav'st in doubt, be that now known. 

Seek we the foe e'en as that foe design'd. 
Xor should the squadrons, which have overthrown 

The East, in walls or trenches be confin'd. 
Let then those impious rebels feel our might 
In open field, in the more open light. 

cxxxi. 
" They'll not endure our victories' very name, 

Still less the victors' haughty looks, I say, 
Still less our arms ; their forces we shall tame, 

Foundation firm for our imperial sway. 
The tow'r will quickly yield, or since none aim 

To help it, 'twill become an easy prey." 
He ceas'd, and brought their counsels to a close, 
The setting stars inviting to repose. 



372 



CANTO XX. 



ARGUMENT. 



Th' Egyptian makes th' assault, but Ms emprise 
Brings death to him, to others life and gain. 

TV oppressor is oppress'd; the Soldan lies 
With Aladine extinct npon the plain ; 

For on the Faithful Heav'n confers the prize 
Of vict'ry, on the Impions endless bane : 

Hence the mix'd people, who have rescued now 

The mighty Tomb of Christ, fulfil their vow. 

I. 

Already has the sun call'd men to teen, 

Already of the day ten hours have pass'd, 
When they who hold the massy tow'r have seen 

Something far off of shadowy and vast, 
Like to the mist which wraps the earth at e'en ; 

And know it is the friendly camp at last 
Which overshades with dust the skies around, 
And hides beneath it hills and level ground. 

II. 
The leaguer' d people from their height sublime 

Then lifted even up to Heav'n a cry 
Like that with which the cranes in frosty time 

Quitting their Thracian nests in squadrons hie. 
And through the clouds tow'rd a more genial clime 

Along the wintry gales all shrieking fly : 
For hope arriving after pause so long 
Incites their hand to shoot, their tongue to wrong. 

in. 
Well know the Franks from what proceeds the ire 

Thus newly bursting, and the threatful spite ; 
And look forth from the spots which most aspire, 

And thence the mighty camp appears in sight. 
The generous courage suddenly takes fire 

In those ferocious hearts, and asks the fight. 
The haughty youth, assembling in a crowd, 
Cry : " Give the signal, gallant Chief," aloud. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 373 

IV. 

But to give battle ere dawn were next descried 

Eefus'd he wisely, and rein'd in the brave. 
Xor would he that the enemy should be tried 

With pow'rs umnass'd, or shifting as the wave* 
" Tis right that after such fatigues," he cried, 

" One whole day of refreshment ye should have." 
Perchance, too, in his mind the wish arose 
To nourish a vain notion in his foes. 

v. 
Each one prepares himself with ardour keen 

And restless, waiting the new light's display, 
Xe'er was the air so lovely and serene 

As when came forth that memorable day. 
The dawn laugh' d joyously as if 't had been 

Surrounded with the bright sun's every ray, 
And light were more than wont, and Heav'n would see 
Without a veil their deeds of chivalry. 

VI. 

When Godfrey sees the morn's first golden line, 
He leads his host forth under high command, 

But places round the king of Palestine 

Count Eaymond and that numerous Christian band 

Which came from Syria's neighbouring realm to join 
The liberators of their native land ; 

And yet not these alone, but leaves beside 

A troop of Gascons, men of valour tried. 

VII. 

He goes ; and such his mien that as they gaze, 
They augur certain victory thence ; and o'er 

His features Heavn's new favor sheds its rays, 
And makes him more- majestic than before ; 

And fills his face with honor, and displays 
The purple light of youth on it once more. 

And in the movement of his limbs and eyes 

Other than mortal he appears to rise. 

VIII. 

Short distance had he gone ere full in sight 
Arose th' encampment of the Pagan train : 

And on arriving here he seiz'd a height 

Which fenc'd his left and rear from sudden bane. 

Contracting then his left side and his right, 
He show'd a front compact toward the plain ; 

Plac'd in the midst his infantry, and made 

The wings both movable by the horses' aid. 



3/4 TOBQTTATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

IX. 

He trusts the left, which, close beside the hill 

So seiz'd on, had securely ta'en its stand, 
To the two princely Roberts' guiding skill : 

He bids, his brother the mid host command. 
He to the right betakes himself to fill 

More perilous post where the' open plains expand ; 
And where the foe, whose numbers must abound 
More than his own, might hope to gird him round. 

x. 
Hither he makes his Lorrainers also veer 

And choicest troops with arms the most refin'd ; ' 
On foot among the horse he mingles here 

Some archers us'd to combats of this kind. 
Then of th' Adventurers constructs he near 

A troop with others from elsewhere combin'd : 
At the right wing he places these aside, 
liinaldo being made their chief and guide. 

XI. 

To him says Godfrey : " Sire, in thee repose 
This day the victory and the sum of things. 

Hide thou thy squadron somewhat, nor disclose 
Its front beyond these grand and spacious wings. 

When the foe comes, do thou direct thy blows 
In flank, and foil whate'er device he brings. 

He aims, unless I err, to make th' attack 

By wheeling on our sides and on our back." 

XII. 

From squadron then to squadron he career'd, 
And flying among horse and foot was seen. 

Through the rais'd visor all his face appear'd, 
He lighten'd in his eyes and in his mien. 

The doubtful he consol'd, the hopeful cheer'd, 
Told to the forward what their vaunts had been, 

And to the brave recall'd their deeds of old : 

To some he promis'd fame, to others gold. 

XIII. 

At last where all the first ranks, and the best, 
Were mass'd together, fix'd did he remain. 

And then from a commanding height address'd 
A speech to them which thrill'd the list'ning train.. 

As loosen'd snows from soaring Alpine crest 
Are wont to rush in torrents to the plain, 

So voluble and rapid from his tongue 

The sounding accents hied, and thus they rung : 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 3 / 5 

XIV. 

" gallant camp, the scourge of Jesu's foes, 

And tamer of the East, lo now begun 
The last of days, behold how brightly glows 

On the long-wish'd-for day yon rising sun ! 
And not without high motive Heav'n bestows 

Pow'r on its rebel host to meet in one. 
It has united here your every foe 
To finish many wars at one grand blow. 

xv. 
" We shall achieve in one a hundred fights ; 

Nor greater risk or toil shall have to dree. 
Let none, let none of you dread empty sights, 

The size of yonder foe, though vast it be ; 
For, wrangling in itself, it ill unites, 

And hinders its own movements as ye see ; 
Small will the number be who show their face, 
For many will lack heart, and many space. 

XVI. 

" Unarm'd, too, for the most part will be these 
Who meet us ; without vigour, without art ; 

Whom force alone now hurries from their ease, 
From servile task in household or in mart. 

Their shields are trembling now ; they scarce can seize 
Their swords ; their ensigns tremble in yon part ; 

I know each doubtful movement, wavering tone ; 

I see their death by signs distinctly known. 

XVII 

" That Captain who, begirt with purple and gold, 
Orders the squadrons, and so fierce appears, 

Perchance quell'd Moor or Arab once of old ; 
But never will his might resist our spears. 

What will he do, how wise soe'er, to hold 
A check on their confusion and their fears *? 

Ill known is he, I deem, ill knows his host, 

And scarce can name a few of them at most. 

XVIII. 

" But I am Captain of a chosen band : 

We long have fought together, and have won ; 

And long have ye been under my command. 

Whose country know I not ] whose sire, and son ? 

What sword is hid from me? what shaft, though scann'd 
A moment only ere its flight be done, 

Could I not tell if Irish, or from France, 

And e'en what arm has made the bow-string dance ? 



376 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

XIX. 

" I ask but for accustoni'd tilings : let all 

As they have shone elsewhere, here also shine, 
And have their wonted ardour, and recall 

Their honor, that of Christ, and also mine. 
Go, beat the impious down, and as they fall 

Tread on them and make sure the prize divine. 
Why do I keep you trilling 1 I survey 
Most clearly in your eyes : ye win the day." 

xx. 
While he was finishing these words, a light 

Clear and serene, shot down upon his crest, 
As oftentimes is wont a summer night 

To shake a star or meteor from its vest. 
But this, one might believe, had ta'en its flight 

Down to the earth from the sun's inmost breast, 
And seem'd to wreathe his brows, an omen plain, 
As some iniagmd, of his future reign. 

XXI. 

Perchance, if mortal may presume to trace 
And tell the secrets of the King of kings, 

His guardian angel 'twas, who for a space 

Quitted its choir, and girt him with its wings. 

While Godfrey rang'd his Christians in their place, 
And 'mong the troops discours'd such eloquent things, 

Th' Egyptian Captain also was not slow 

To marshal his, and cheer them on the foe. 

XXII. 

His multitudinous squadrons forth he drew 
When he beheld afar th' approaching Franks. 

And he, too, made his army wing'd, and threw 
His foot i' th' midst, his horse into the flanks. 

The right wing he retain' d as his own due ; 
And gave to Altamore the leftward ranks. 

The foot between them Muleasses guides : 

And in mid battle fair Arrnida rides. 

XXIII. 

The Indian king is plac'd in the right corps, 

And Tisaphernes, and the royal band. 
But where with wider flight the left spreads o'er 

Those broad and level plains, there take their stand 
Afric and Persia's kings with Altamore, 

And the two sent forth from the hottest land. 
And in that quarter will the bows be strung, 
The cross-bows be discharg'd, and slings be swung. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. O / / 

XXIV. 

Thus Emir en e arrays them ; and then hies 

Through the mid part and each remoter wing : 
With other's tongue now, now his own, he cries, 

Blends praise and blame, reward and punishing. 
To one he says : " Why, soldier, are thine eyes 

So downcast 1 Whence then can thy terror spring ] 
Can one defeat a hundred 1 They will fly, 
Believe me, at our shadow, and our cry." 

xxv. 
And to another : "Hie thee with that face, 

brave one, to retake the ravish'd prey." 
Upon another's mind with eloquent grace 

And in most vivid lights his words portray 
The man's imploring country, and then trace 

His sorrowing suppliant household in dismay. 
" Deem that thou hear'st," he said, " thy country's call 
From this my tongue, and thus her accents fall : 

XXVI. 

" Guard thou my laws, my every sacred fane ; 

And let me not be bath'd in mine own gore : 
Secure the virgins from yon impious train, 

The tombs and ashes of thy sires of yore. 
To thee the old men show their locks that wane, 

Bewailing the long days they have pass'd o'er • 
To thee the matron shows the breast that fed 
Her little ones, their cradle, and her bed." 

XXVII. 

And then to many : " Asia makes you here 
The champions of her honor and her name : 

From you on these few barbarous robbers near 
A stern but just revenge is now her claim." 

And thus with varied arts and varied cheer 
He lures them all to battle's desperate game. 

But now the leaders cease, and narrower grows 

The space that separates th' approaching foes. 

XXVIII. 

'Twas a grand thing and wondrous to behold, 
When onward front to front each army sped, 

How, making all its order' d ranks unfold, 

It now mov'd on, now made th' assault so dread : 

See waving in the breeze the flags unroll' d, 
And feathers nodding on each crested head, 

Arms and devices, habits bright and dun, 

And gold and steel flashing against the sun. 



378 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XX. 



XXIX. 

A tall wood of thick trees ye might have guess'd 
Each host to be ; so did the spears abound. 

The bows are stretch'd, and lances laid in rest ; 

The darts are pois'd, and every sling swung round : 

For battle, too, is every steed address'd ; 
And full of fury like his lord is found ; 

He paws, he wheels, he neighs, he stamps his ire, 

Expands his nostrils, and breathes smoke and fire. 

XXX. 

E'en horror pleases in a sight so proud, 

And pleasure springs up in the midst of fear ; 

IJor less the trumpets horrible and loud 

Strike on the ear with wild and joyous cheer. 

The Eaithful host, though lesser be its crowd, 
Seems the more wonderful to eye and ear : 

Its trumpets ring with a more warlike tone 

And clearer ; from its arms more light is thrown. 

XXXI. 

The Christian trumpets first provoke the fight. 

The others answer, nor the war forego. 
The Franks kneel down, and reverently recite 

Their pray'rs to .Heav'n ; then kiss the ground below. 
The space between grows less, is vanish' d quite ! 

Now either host is grappling with its foe. 
Fierce strife is at the wings, and earlier yet 
Have th' infantry in shock of battle met. 

XXXII. 

What Christian first of all made Paynim bleed, 
And won renown never to be suppress' d ? 

'Twas thou, Gildippe, who didst smite with greed 
Hircane whom Ormus as its king confess'd, 

(So much of glorious fame did Heav'n concede 

To woman's hand) and clav'st him through the breast. 

Transfix'd he falls, and falling hears the foe 

Shout all around him to commend the blow. 

XXXIII. 

With her right hand the lady then embrac'd, 

Since now her lance was shiver' d, her good sword, 

And 'gainst the Persians urg'd her steed in haste 
And op'd and thinn'd the densest of the horde. 

She caught Zopiro just upon the waist, 

And fell'd him nigh into two pieces scor'd : 

Then on the throat she smote Alarco rude, 

And clave the double path for voice and food. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 379 

XXXI V. 

She beats down Artaxerxes to the plain, 

* And pierces Argens with a deadly wound : 

Then cleaves for Ishmael the flexuous chain 

'Twixt the left hand and arm ■ and to the ground 
The sever'd member falling drops the rein : 

In the steed's ears the swift blow makes a sound : 
Feeling the bridle loose, it flies afar 
Impetuous, and disturbs the ranks of war. 

xxxv. 
All these and many more, whom none record 

For distant ages, she deprives of life. 
The Persians all fall on her with the sword 

Eager to gather spoils with glory rife : 
But fearing for her now, her faithful lord 

Runs to the aid of his beloved wife. 
Th' according pair, thus join'd in peril's hour, 
< rain in the faithful union double pow'r. 

xxxvi. 
Behold how each magnanimous lover shows 

Xew modes of fence, stranger than tongue can tell : 
Regardless of themselves among their foes 

They each defend the life they love so well. 
The daring heroine beats aside the blows 

Which aim at her dear lord so fast and fell ; 
He with his shield wards off the weapons sped 
Against her, and would ward them with his head. 

XXXVII. 

Each makes defence for other, and each flies 
To' exact for the' other vengeance undelay'd. 

By hini the daring Artabanus dies, 

Whom Boecan's fair isle as king obey'd ; 

And struck by the same hand Alvante lies 
Who dar'd to hit his lov'd one with the blade. 

She, 'twixt the brows of Arimont, who fain 

Would smite her faithful one, disparts the brain. 

XXXVIII. 

Thus fell the Persians ; but much more distress'd 
By Saniarcand's great monarch were the Franks : 

For wheresoe'er his steel or charger press' d, 

He slew both horse and foot, and fell'd their ranks. 

He that is done to death at once is bless'd, 
Xot groaning underneath the charger's flanks, 

Because the charger bites and with his heel 

Stamps on whate'er of life escapes the steel. 



380 TORQUATO TASSO. CAKTO XX. 

XXXIX. 

Kill'd by tlie blows of Altaniore, remain 
Brunello brawny-limb'd. Ardonio grand. 

The helin and liead of one is cleft in twain 
So that it dangles down on either hand. 

The other is transfix'd where laughter's vein 

Has its first fount, and makes the heart expand : 

So that, strange sight, and dreadful to all eyes. 

He laughs perforce, and as he laughs, he dies. 

XL. 

Nor these alone his sword, athirst for gore, 
Dispatches from the world's delightful tie ; 

But others to sad deaths delivers o'er, 

Gentonio, Guasco, Eosmond too, and Guy. 

WTio could relate what hosts by Altamore 
Are struck, and trodden by his charger die ! 

"Who tell the titles of his victims all I 

The mode in which he strikes, in which they fall ? 

XLI. 

The onset of that fierce one none abide, 

Nor try to' assail him e'en from distant ground 

Alone against him fair Gildippe hied, 

Nor paus'd a moment though such peril frown" d. 

No Amazon upon Thermodon's side 

E'er grasp'd a shield, or swung an axe around. 

So boldly as she hasten'd to engage 

The formidable Persian in his rage. 

XLII. 

She struck him on the helmet where it held 
Barbaric crown with cmld and emerald bright, 

And brake and scatter'd it : his proud head, quell" d. 
Was forc'd to bow beneath a woman's nii°:ht. 

The Pagan king suppos'd the blow propell'd 

By a strong hand, and felt both shame and spite ; 

Nor to revenue th : affront delav'd he long, 

Tor at one instant came revenge and wrung. 

XLIII. 

Almost at the same time he struck the fan 
A blow which on her front so fiercely beat 

As all her sense and vigour to impair. 

She fell : her spouse retain' d her in her seat. 

Whether their fortune, or his valour' 'twere, 
So much sufnc'd, nor blow did he repeat, 

Like the brave lion, who may scornful spy 

A man fall'n down, eyes hint and passes by. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 3S1 

XLIV. 

Ormoncl meanwhile, to whose remorseless hand 
Had been consign'd the task of guilt supreme, 

Disguis'd has mingled with the Christian band, 
And with him all his fellows in the scheme. 

Thus wolves by night when mists invest the land, 
Move on, and while to be but dogs they seem, 

Explore how they may break into the fold, 

And doubtful tail close to the stomach hold. 

XLV. 

Still on they drew, and near to Godfrey's side 
The savage Pagan had contriv'd to press ; 

But soon as the great Captain had espied 
The gold and white of the suspected dress : 

" Behold that traitor who would seem," he cried. 
" A Frank in this disguise with no success. 

Behold, his fellow traitors seek me too." 

Thus saying, on the treacherous one he new. 

XLVI. 

He wounds him mortally : that felon knight 

Nor strikes, nor wards, nor backward has he flown : 

But e'en as if the Gorgon were in sight, 
Bold as he was before, grows ice and stone. 

Each sword, each spear on them expends its might, 
Each quiver is pour'd out on them alone. 

Cut to such bits are Ormoncl and his feres, 

That not a corpse among their dead appears. 

XLVII. 

Stain' d with the life-blood of that treacherous crew, 
The Captain rush'd into the war, and pass'd 

To where he had seen the Persian chief break through 
The closest ranks, and make the brave aghast ; 

So that, dispers'd, his own good squadron flew 
Like Afric's dust before the southern blast. 

Tow'rd him he speeds, rebukes his own with shouts, 

And stopping him who flies, fronts him who routs. 

XLVI1I. 

Such fight betwixt these two begins to ring 
As ne'er had Xanthus, nor had Ida seen. 

Baldwin meanwhile and Muleasses spring, 
Each upon foot, elsewhere to battle keen : 

Xor near the steep hill at the other wing 
Less hot had the equestrian combat been, 

AVhere the barbarian chief has come to share 

The fight in person, back'd by the grand pair. 



TORQUATO T.VSSO. 



CANTO XX. 



XL1X. 

That Cliief ami l.: mm Lolert are address'd 
To muel strife with eonal valour here : 

Bur tli' Indian ope? the :olmr Edmm's ere?:. 
Aii 1 smashes and cuts through his armour she 

And lience he scours where thickest is the throng, 

And strews his path vri;h slaughter ah alma. 

L, 

oo- did they combat : a:ii in d :-v.h tfoii male 

The hopes and fears en either side wme hmm. 
Tne held is find amm.hcct of lattemi man. 

Of broken shields, of spears in splinters wrung; 
Of swords, some stiekiim hi the members pale. 

And others on the ground at random flung; 
Of corpses, s-.me supine, on s:me caatma mmul 

LI. 

The steed lies with his lord cm the mm- " - 

dne ioe lies near tne toe ; ami o ei tne dead 
The livhm : and the mace: her hi- m 

No silence is there here, m :ries ire s; 
Bat accents hoarse and indistinct arise, 

Gnashirms of fury, mmmacimas eleiviim. 

Groans irorn the hmmushiim ml :i m the dying. 

LII. 

The steel has lost its meams. the mid its rays : 

Is o be amies ionier in tne colours mow. 
Whate'er of bright and rich exacted r raise 

The dnst clems that which blood has not coiiceai'd. 
>o charm d is the appearance ci tm neml. 

LIII. 

The Aralo then, the Ethiop. and the rMoor, 

Spread ont their lines, end circdina stretch' d 'hem . 

Till round to tne tie's hank them force ha 
And now the bowmen and the simmers pour 

Their missiles en the Franks ilom dim. 
VThen forth Lin el la mai his sauadron dash. 
And mem an earrrmmum. ; -_ :: _-_■__ -^]\. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. ' obo 

LIV. 

The gallant Assimir of Meroe pac'd 

First of the Ethiopian swarthy train ; 
Einaldo caught him where the bust is brac'd 

To the dark neck, and left him with the slain. 
When the tierce victor, whetted by the taste 

Of victory, felt his thirst increase amain 
For blood and death, prodigious things he wrought 
Surpassing credence, aud with horror fraught. 

LV. 

He deals more deaths than blows, and yet alway 
The storm of blows descends, nor ever fades. 

As seems the serpent to make three tongues play, 
For so the quickness of its one persuades, 

Thus did those people deem in their dismay 
That in his rapid hand he wheel'd three blades. 

The motion quite deceiv'd the credulous view, 

And terror made the prodigy seem true. 

LVI. 

The Negro kings, and Lybian tyrants too, 

He stretch'd on earth in masses red and dense. 

Upon the rest his gallant comrades flew, 
His ardour making theirs the more intense. 

With dreadful cries the misbelieving crew 
Fell all around them, and made no defence. 

Xo battle this, but slaughter 'tis alone, 

Where swords on this side, throats on that are shown. 

LVII. 

For no long time do they present their face, 

Letting but honorable wounds alight. 
The vulgar fly, and terror gives them chase, 

So that their ranks are lost and broken quite. 
Yet still he follows them, nor quits their trace 

Till he has crush'd and put them all to night. 
Then the swift victor stays him ; for on those 
Who fly the faster less of rage he shows. 

LVII I. 

As winds oppos'd by forest, or by hill, 

Eedoubling in the strife, will rage and strain, 

But if allow' d to range at their own will, 
Breathe placidly and softly o'er the plain ; 

As ocean boils amid the rocks, but still 

And tranquil rolls its waves in th' open main ; 

So the less firm the force he has to' engage, 

The more diminished is Einaldo's rao^e. 



384 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

LIX. 

When he disdain'd to spend on back that fled 
His noble wrath, and use his fatal blade, 

He turn'd and 'gainst that infantry he sped 

Whose flank the Moor and Arab once had made. 

On that side now 'tis bare, and they are dead, 
Or distant far, who should have giv'n it aid. 

He charges, and the troops on foot soon feel 

Th' impetuous onset of the men in steel. 

LX. 

The charge broke spears and obstacles, and through 
The foremost lines impetuously was borne, 

And fell'd, and scatter'd them ; nor blast e'er blew 
That could beat down so soon the bending corn. 

The earth is pav'd around with gory dew 

From arms, and limbs, and corpses pierc'd and torn : 

And o'er it unoppos'd the fiery horse 

Are trampling, and still onward take their course. 

LXI. 

Einaldo came to where Armida stay'd 

Upon her golden car in war's attire ? 
With noble guards on either side array 'd 

Of lords attendant and of lovers nigh her. 
Him known by many a token she survey'd 

With eyes that flash' d with rage and with desire. 
A change, although but slight, pass'd o'er his face. 
She became ice, then fire, in a short space. 

LXII. 

The knight moves onward from the car askance, 
And makes as if intent on other thing ; 

But not in peace is suffer'd to advance, 

For on him the sworn band, his rivals, spring 

Some with the sword, and some with lower'd lance : 
She, too, has plac'd the arrow on the string. 

Her hands were tighten' d, and her rage wax'd hot ; 

But love appeas'd her, and withheld the shot. 

LX1II. 

Love strove with anger, and expos'd to view 
The fire still living which she hid in vain. 

Three times her hand was stretch'd to shoot anew ; 
Three times she dropt it, and would still refrain. 

Yet anger won at last ; the bow she drew, 
And made the feather'd barb fly forth amain. 

The shaft flew forth, but with the shaft there went 

A sudden wish that uselessly 'twere sent. 



CAXTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 385 

LXTV. 

Much did she wish that the sharp-pointed dart 
Were wafted back, back to her bosom's core, 

Such sway had love, though losing, o'er her heart ; 
! had he been victorious, how much more ! 

But thought like this she quickly lays apart ; 
And in her jarring bosom rage boils o'er. 

Thus now she fears, now hopes, the shaft that flies 

May strike him, and pursues it with her eyes. 

LXV. 

Xot vainly through the air the weapon stream' d ; 

It struck indeed the knight's hard hauberk fair, 
Too hard by woman's arrow to be seam'd, 

And 'stead of piercing it was blunted there. 
He turn'd his side to her. And she, who deem'd 

The movement meant neglect, with furious air 
Sent several shafts at him, yet wounds him not ; 
And love still wounded her the while she shot. 

LXVI. 

" Is he," she thought, " invulnerable quite, 
And treats he hostile force with no regard ? 

Is't possible his members can be dight 

In the same stone which makes his heart so hard ] 

On him no stroke from eye or hand has might ; 
For that which wards him cannot e'en be scarr'd : 

And helpless I succumb though arm'd I go, 

Despis'd alike as lover and as foe. 

LXVII. 

" To what new art can I have now recourse ? 

To what new shape can I transmuted be ? 
TTretch ! and I must not hope for a resource 

In my own champions ; for I seem to see, 
Yea, plainly do I see, against his force 

How frail their vigour and their chivalry." 
And of her knights she saw that some were slain, 
And some were lying vanquish' d on the plain. 

LXVIII. 

Her own defence sufiices not, ah ! no ; 

E'en now she seems a prisoner and a slave, 
Nor feels secure, though she hold lance and bow, 

And arms both Dian and Minerva gave. 
And as the timid swan, who from below 

Eyes the fierce eagle with its talons grave, 
Cow'rs to the ground r and drops its wing ; so she 
Timid in every movement seem'd to be. 

2 c 



386 TORQUATO TASSO. canto xx. 

LXIX. 

But Altamore, who had till then restor'd 

The Persian ranks when they before were thrown 

Into retreat, and were a flying horde. 

But he had rallied them, and he alone. 
Seeing the plight of her whom he ador'cl. 

Has hither turn'd his course, or rather flown : 
And quits at once his honor and his post ; 
If she be sav'd. let all the world be lost. 

LXX. 

He then escorts the ill-defended wain. 

And with his sword sweeps from the path each bar. 
But Godfrey and Einaldo join'd have slain 

And routed in that time his ranks of war. 
The wretch perceives it. and can bear the pain ; 

Better as lover than as captain far. 
He guides to a safe place the cherish'd maid, 
Then hies, too late, to give the vanquished aid. 

LXXI. 

Fot on that side the Pagan doom was seaTd ; 

Their ranks had utterly dissolved and fled. 
But on the other, yielding up the field 

To those, our own had been discomfited. 
One of the Roberts scarce escap'd with shield. 

Struck by the foe upon the breast and head : 
The other as Adrastus' prisoner stays. 
Thus equal loss on either party weighs. 

LXXI I. 

Then Godfrey seiz'd occasion deftly won : 
Reform'd his squadrons, and without delay 

Beturn'd to battle : hence was there begun 
Betwixt th ? unbroken wings the hurtling fray, 

Each red with blood which from then foes had run. 
Each with triumphal spoils there to display. 

From each side Victory came, and Honor new : 

Fortune and TTar stood doubtful "twixt the two. 

LXXIII. 

Xow while the Faithful and the Pagans rage 
Against each other thus in battailous hate. 

The Soldan clomb the towT and from that cage 
Outside, although far off. beheld elate 

As if on an arena, or a stage. 

The fearful drama' of the human state ; 

The oft assault, and death's uncheck'd advance, 

And the tremendous eanies of fate and chance. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 3^« 

LXXIV. 

Astonisli'd for a while did lie remain 

At that first look ; and then he fir'd all o'er, 

And long'd to be upon the perilous plain 
Himself, and doing gallant deeds once more. 

Hot check'd he the desire, but swift has ta'en 

And donn'd his helm ; he had been mail'd before. 

" Up, up !" he cried, " no more, no more delay : 

Or victory or death must come to-day." 

LXXV. 

"Whether perchance 'twere Providence divine 
Which had breath'd into him the furious mood, 

That on that day the pow'rs of Palestine, 
Xo remnant left, might wholly be subdued, 

Or whether, being now on death's confine, 
He felt himself spurr'd on to mortal feud ; 

Impetuous and swift does he unbar 

The gate, and carry forth unlook'd-for war. 

LXXVI. 

He waits not e'en till his associate throng 

Answer his savage call : alone he hies, 
Alone provokes the hosts, however strong, 

Alone speeds where a thousand weapons rise. 
But by his impulse borne as 'twere along 

The rest, and Aladine himself, arise. 
He, coward once and cautious, now fears nought, 
Effect which fury more than hope has wrought. 

LXXVI I. 

Those whom the fiery Soldan first finds nigh 
Fall under blows as unforeseen as dread, 

And he so swiftly slays them that the eye 
Sees them not dying, only sees them dead. 

From van to rear, from voice to voice the cry 
Of terror runs, and the sad news has sped, 

So that already Syria's Faithful host, 

Become tumultuous, took to flight almost. 

LXXVIII. 

But with less terror, and less disarray, 

Their ranks and post the Gascon troops retain ; 

Though nearest to the peril's front were they, 
First caught and smitten by that sudden bane. 

Xo tooth nor talon of all those that prey 
In forest, or on wing, e'er wrought a stain 

So red in fold, or 'niong the birds, as shows 

The Turk's tremendous sword among his foes. 



388 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

LXXIX. 

It seems to have a ravenous appetite, 

Feeds on the limbs, as 'twere, and sucks the gore. 
Aladine and his train, too, pierce and smite 

Those who had been besiegers just before. 
But Kaymond hies to where, disheartening sight 1 

The Turk undoes his troop ; nor flies the more 
Though recognizing well the savage arm 
Whose former stroke had wrought him mortal harm. 

LXXX. 

Again he fronts him, and again is thrown, 

Re-struck on the same spot where struck so late, 

And 'tis the fault of his great age alone 

To which the weight of the grand blows is great. 

A hundred shields, a hundred swords have flown, 
Those to defend him, these to seal his fate. 

But on the Turk speeds, whether he surmise 

His foe quite dead, or deem him easy prize. 

LXXXT. 

Above the rest he sweeps his trenchant sword, 
And on small stage does many a wond'rous deed. 

Then where fresh food for slaughter may be stor'd 
He furious hies to lop, to wound, to bleed. 

As one by hunger spurr'd from scanty board 
Betakes him to rich supper with all speed, 

So seeks he greater war, where he may slake 

His madd'ning thirst for blood as from a lake. 

LXXXII. 

Down through the batter'd walls his footsteps press 
Tow'rd the grand right now raging on the plain. 

But fury in his comrades, and distress 
Among his enemies, as yet remain. 

One party strives to' accomplish the success 
Which he had left in an imperfect train : 

The other still resists, yet in such plight 

That the resistance shows some signs of flight. 

LXXXIII. 

The Gascon yields with slow-retreating stride, 
But scatter'd are the Syrians o'er the ground. 

!Near Tancred's dwelling rolls the battle tide, 
Where as he lies he hears the shouting sound. 

Up from the bed he lifts his feeble side, 

Mounts on the height, and turns bis eyes around : 

He sees the Count fall'n, some in rank of war 

Retreating, some in flight dispers'd afar. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 389 

LXXXIV. 

Valour, which never fails in gallant breast, 
Droops not because the body becomes frail, 

But has, instead of breath and blood, redress'd 
His wounded limbs, and almost made them hale. 

With ponderous shield his left hand has he press' d, 
Nor does his bloodless arm thus burden'd fail : 

With the' other hand he grasps his sabre bare. 

A brave man will not ask for more, nor care. 

LXXXV. 

He hurries down and cries : " ! whither run 

Leaving your lord to others as a prey ? 
And shall barbarians hang his arms thus won 

In hall or mosque as trophies of the day ] 
Hie back to Gascony, and tell the son 

His sire is dead from whom ye ran away." 
Thus speaks he, and his bare weak breast is strong 
Defence against an arm'd and vigorous throng. 

LXXXVI. 

And with his shield, whose orb is cover'd o'er 

With seven hard bull's hides, ponderous to wield, 

And has o'er these, to strengthen it the more, 
A plate of steel most skilfully anneal' d, 

He keeps from swords that smite, from darts that pour, 
From every weapon, the good Count conceal'd \ 

And with his blade drives off the crowding foes, 

So that he lies secure, as in repose. 

LXXXVII. 

Breathing again, the old man from below 
That faithfid shelter rises in short space ; 

And feels a double fire throughout him glow, 
Bage in his heart, and shame upon his face : 

To trace the savage one who struck the blow 
He bends his flaming eyes to every place : 

But, not perceiving him, with fierce disdain 

Prepares to take deep vengeance on his train. ' 

LXXXVIIl. 

The Gascons rally and support once more 

Their Chief thus bent on taking vengeance dear. 

Xow cow'rs the troop which dar'd so much before, 
And courage passes to where first was fear. 

He shrinks, who push'd ; who shrank, now tramples 
Such changes in a moment's time appear. [o'er. 

Xow Raymond wreaks him, hasting to requite 

With scores of deaths inflicted one despite. 



390 TORQUATO TASSO. 



CANTO XX. 



LXXXIX. 

While Kaymond visits thus his late disgrace 

Upon the loftiest heads in fearful guise, 
He sees there in the front of battle's face 

Th' usurper of the realm ; on whom he Hies 
And hits his brow, and on the self-same place 

Smites and re-smites, and still his weapon plies : 
Whence the king falls ; and with a dreadful groan 
Bites as he dies the land which held his throne. 

xc. 
One leader being afar, the other dead, 

Various effect was wrought upon the rest. 
Some like the savage beasts, by fury led, 

Eush'd hopeless on the iron with their breast : 
Others in terror sought escape and fled 

Back to the refuge which they first possess'd. 
But with the fugitives the victors blend, 
And entering bring the grand quest to its end. 

xci. 
The Eock is ta'en ; and on the lofty stair 

And the first threshold, he who flies is slain ; 
And Raymond climbs up to the summit there, 

And in his hand the mighty flag has ta'en; 
And to the two grand hosts unfurls to the' air 

Triumphal sign that tells of victory plain. 
But the fierce Soldan sees it not, for far 
From thence away, he reaches now the war. 

xcn. 
He reaches the dank field where the red tide 

Of heaving blood grows momently more strong, 
So that death seems to reign in all his pride, 

Unfold his triumphs here, and stalk along ; 
He sees a steed on whom is none astride 

Straying with loosen'd bridle from the throng, 
Seizes the rein and on his vacant back 
Mounts and then spurs him onward to th' attack. 

xcm. 
A grand but transient aid the warrior brought 

To the scar'd Pagans wearied with the fray. 
A grand but transient flash ye might have thought 

Had come unlook'd for, and had pass'd away ; 
But in its momentary course had wrought 

In shatter'd rocks marks that will ever stay. 
He slew a hundred ; and at least of two 
Let time not steal the praise which is their due. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 391 

XCIV. 

O Edward and Gildippe, I will sing 

Your hapless fates, your actions worthy and grand, 
And, if such pow'r attend my Tuscan string, 

Will hallow them in every foreign land, 
So that your fame throughout all time may ring, 

Your valour and love be pointed at and scann'd ; 
And some love-votary may grace with tears 
Your death and this my rhyme throughout all years. 

xcv. 
Thither the lofty lady turn'd her steed 

Where numbers by that fierce one had been slain. 
And two grand cutting blows, struck home with speed, 

Wounded his side, and cleft his shield in twain. 
He, knowing by her dress who made him bleed, 

Exclaims : " Behold the harlot and her swain. 
Better the distaff and the needle here 
Had wrought thee safety than thy sword and fere." 

xcvi. 
He ceas'd : and, with still greater rage possess'd, 

Directed a rash blow with fatal course 
Which breaking through all fence dar'd pierce the breast 

Where Love alone should e'er have struck with force. 
A dying look is on her face express'd, 

As falls th' abandon'd rein upon her horse : 
And wretched Edward well perceives the blow, 
Unfortunate defender, but not slow. 

XCVII. 

What should he do in such case ? Pity and ire 
Bid him at once to different parts repair ; 

This on the smiter to take vengeance dire ; 
That to support the lov'd and falling fair. 

Indiff 'rent, Love persuades him to aspire 

To make both pity and wrath at once his care. 

He runs to bear her up with his left hand, 

And with the other wheels the venging brand. 

XCVIII. 

But will and pow'r which thus themselves divide 
Can not suffice against the Pagan strong : 

So that he neither brings the homicide 

Of his dear love to death, nor holds her long. 

Yea. the' arm which had sustain'd his faithful bride 
Was sever'd by the Turk as 'twere a thong : 

And hence he let her fall ; and down he came, 

And with his own He press'd her dying frame. 



392 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

XCIX. 

As tli' elm round which the tendriTd plant, and trail, 

In sweet and married union loves to twine. 
If fell'd by steel, or torn up by the gale, 

Drags down to earth with it th' associate vine; 
And itself strips the leaves which were its veil, 

And crushes from the fruit the grateful wine : 
It seems to mourn for this, and vents its sighs 
Less for itself than what beside it dies : 

c. 
So falls he : and he grieves for her alone 

Whom Heav'n made his through never-ending day. 
They wish'd to shape, but could not shape the tone : 

Instead of word the soft sigh finds its way. 
Each gazes at the other, each has thrown 

Both arms round other's neck, while yet they may : 
And from the two at once the day is riven, 
And the pure souls united hie to Heaven. 

ci. 

That instant Fame let loose her vans to fly, 

Her tongues to shout, and tells the woeful case : 

Nor hears Einaldo mere report pass by, 
But surer news from one sent to the place. 

Bage, duty, grief, and every kindly tie, 

All turn him to revenge, and speed his pace : 

But great Adrastus thwarts him and defies, 

Crossing Ins path under the Soldan's eyes. 

OIL 

" By signs well known," the savage monarch said, 
" Thou'rt he at last, my constant search and aim. 

Xo shield has been by me unmark'd, unread ; 
And all the day in vain I shout thy name. 

Xow will I pay my Deity with thy head 

My vows of vengeance. Prove we now our claim 

To valour's palm, and in our fury vie. 

Thou art Armida's foe, her champion I." 

can. 

Thus he defied him, and with horrid blow 

First struck his temple ; then the neck he beat ; 

Xor through the fatal helm did the strokes go ; 
They could not, but they shook him in his seat. 

Einaldo on the side so smites his foe 
That here Apollo's art were all unmeet. 

The giant warrior falls, th' unconquer'd king, 

And from one stroke does all that honor spring. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 393 

CIV. 

Stupor with horror mingled and with fear, 

Chills the spectators' blood and hearts all through. 
And Solyman who beheld that stroke from near 

Feels his heart faint, and changes his cheek's hue : 
And knowing well his death will soon be here, 

Does not resolve, and knows not what to do ; 
Unwonted thing in him : but who e'er saw 
Affair below not rul'd by Heav'nly law ? 

cv. 
As oft in fitful slumber there will pace 

Dread visions through the sick or mad man's brain ; 
He seems to struggle eagerly in the race, 

To stretch his limbs, and yet to toil in vain \ 
For spite of all his force in urgent case 

Unmov'd his weary foot and hand remain : 
Then wishes he to loose his tongue and call, 
But cannot utter voice or words at all : 

cvi. 
Thus does the Soldan eagerly desire 

To make th' assault, and spurs him to that course, 
But knows not in himself his wonted ire, 

Xor knows himself with that diminish'd force. 
A secret terror quenches all the fire 

Of rising courage, even at its source. 
Diff'rent emotions in his bosom meet : 
Xot that he thinks of flight, or of retreat. 

cvn. 
Tow'rd him irresolute thus the victor hies, 

And in arriving is, or seems to be, 
Grander in speed, in fury, and in size, 

Than mortal men in a supreme degree. 
The Soldan scarce resists ; yet while he dies, 

His generous usages remembers he : 
Shuns not the blows, nor e'er bemoans his fate ; 
Xor does one act which is not proud and great. 

CVIII. 

AVhen he who oft in war's protracted toil 
Antaeus-like had fall'n, and from the ground 

Sprung always fiercer, press'd at last the soil 
To lie for ever, the news runs around ; 

And fortune, who had roam'd with fickle smile, 
Xo longer doubts where vict'ry shall be found ; 

But stops her frequent turnings where she sees 

The Franks beneath their chiefs, and wars with these. 



304 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

CIX. 

The Pagans fly, even the Royal band 

Comprising all of nerve which the' East may claim. 
'Twas call'd Immortal once ; now from the land 

It perishes in spite of that proud name. 
Emirene stops the flight of him whose hand 

Holds the grand banner, and cries out with shame : 
" Art thou not he whom from a countless horde 
I chose to bear the standard of my lord ? 

ex. 
" This ensign, Eimeclon, I gave to thee 

Xot to be carried by thee to the rear. 
And wilt thou, coward, then thy Captain see 

Beset with foes and leave him helpless here ? 
What dost thou crave ? escape ? then back with me ■ 

The road thou tak'st but leads thee to thy bier. 
Who hopes for safety here must join the strife ; 
The path of honor is the path of life." 

CXI. 

Once more he speeds to where the falchions ring. 

Then sterner words to others does he deal : 
Threats them, and smites ; and hence contrives to bring 

Against the steel e'en those who dread the steel. 
Thus he restores of the defeated wing 

The better part, and e'en a hope can feel. 
And Tisaphernes cheers him more than all, 
For backward has he let no footstep fall. 

cxn. 
Marvels that day from Tisaphernes came : 

Undone by him were they of Norman birth ; 
He dealt upon the Flemings loss and shame ; 

Beat Gemier, Roger, Gerard down to earth. 
"When to the goal of everlasting fame 

He had stretch'd a transient life by deeds of worth. 
As if he car'd but little now for life, 
He seeks the grander peril of the strife. 

CXIII. 

He sees Rinaldo, and though now bedy'd 

His azure colours to a hue of red, 
And bloody be his eagle's beak of pride, 

And talons, yet his eye is not misled. 
" Behold the greatest of all perils," he cried, 

" I pray to Heav'n to make my strength more dread, 
And may Armida the wish'd slaughter see. 
Mahmoud, I vow the arms if won to thee." 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 395 

CXIV. 

Thus pray'd he, but with pray'rs of no avail ; 

For his deaf God heard none of his desire. 
As oft the lion lashes with his tail 

His shaggy sides to rouse his native ire ; 
So wakes he his disdain, and lest it fail, 

\Vhets it on love, and from the spark takes fire. 
Compact in arms he gathers all his force 
Preparing for th' assault, and spurs his horse. 

cxv. 
Against him rush'd the Latin cavalier, 

Perceiving him approach in the' act to smite, 
All nigh them made an ample space and clear, 

And turn'd themselves to see that wondrous sight. 
So many and various blows assail'd the ear 

From the Italian and the Saracen knight, 
That all the rest amaz'd almost forgot 
Their own emotions and peculiar lot. 

cxvi. 
But the' one strikes merely : the' other with more power 

And firmer arms both strikes and makes a wound. 
The Pagan floods the field with a red shower, 

His helm is gash'd, his shield falls on the ground. 
The lovely Sorc'ress sees her champion cower, 

His armour crash'd, and several limbs unsound ; 
And all the other warriors are so scar'd 
That frail and feeble now has wax'd her guard. 

cxvn. 
Girt arid defended by so many of late, 

Xow stays she in her car alone and bare. 
She dreads enslavement, holds her life in hate, 

Of victory and revenge does she despair. 
Half-madden'd, half-dismay'd, she quits her state, 

And mounts in haste one of her palfreys there. 
She goes, she flies ; and with her too have hied 
Both rage and love like greyhounds at her side. 

CXVIII. 

Thus Cleopatra from the fierce alarms 

Of battle fled alone in olden tale, 
Leaving oppos'd to prosperous Caesar's arms 

Her faithful one mid naval risk and bale, 
TTho made unjust to self by woman's charms, 

Soon follow' d thence her solitary sail. 
And Tisaphernes also had departed 
After that maid ; but this the other thwarted. 



396 TORQUATO^ TASSO. C.VXTO XX. 

CXIX. 

To th' Pagan when his comfort quits his sight, 

The sun appears to set, the day to die ; 
And on the foe who keeps him back in spite 

He desp'rate turns, and smites him o'er the eye. 
Much gentler Vulcan's hammer must alight 

To forge the twisted bolt which rends the sky : 
And then he loads him with a stroke so dread 
That on the breast drops down the smitt'n one's head. 

cxx. 
Einaldo rises soon, nor feels the smart, 

But brandishes his sword, and opes the sides 
^Through the thick mail, and in the middle heart 

Immerses the sharp point, where life abides. 
The blow speeds on to wound a double part, 

Here through the bosom, through the back there 
And for the fleeting soul more than one way [glides ; 
Is made by which to quit the realms of day. 

cxxi. 
Then stops Einaldo, and looks around to know 

Where he may charge, or where may render aid ; 
And sees no solid order in the foe ; 

But all their standards in the dust are laid. 
He puts an end to deaths here, and the glow 

Of martial rage in him appears to fade. 
He becomes tranquil, and his thoughts have flown 
To her who fled afflicted and alone. 

cxxn. 
He mark'd her flight well. Pity seems to crave 

Some care for her, and courtesy is ow'd : 
And he remembers too the pledge he gave 

To be her knight when from her side he strode. 
He bends to where her hurried flight she drave, 

And tracks her palfrey's hoof upon the road. 
Meanwhile she reaches a deep gloom} 7 ' glen, 
Pit spot for death, far from the eyes of men. 

CXXIII. 

It pleas'd her well that she by chance had hied 
With wand'ring footsteps to this shady vale. 

Here she dismounted, and here laid aside 
Her bow, and quiver, and her polish'd mail. 

" hapless arms, and shameful too," she cried, 
" Who come from battle unbedew'd and pale, 

Here I depose you ; here lie buried long, 

Since ye so ill avenge my grievous wrong. 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 397 

CXXIV. 

" But ah. ! mid all these weapons which I own, 

Shall one not drip with blood to-day at least 1 
If every other bosom seem of stone, 

Yet ye will dare to wound a woman's breast. 
Let this of mine, which naked here is shown, 

Your value and your victories attest. 
Mine is a tender one, and this Love knows 
Who never aim'd at it in vain his blows. 

cxxv. 
" Show yourselves brave and sharp then upon me 

Who pardon you the cowardice which is past. 
Wretched Armida, what must my lot be, 

When upon you my hopes of weal are cast ? 
Since other remedies all fail, I see, 

Save that of wounds for wounds already vast, 
Let stroke from arrow heal the stroke from Love. 
And death a medicine to my bosom prove. 

cxxvi. 
" happy when I die, if this my bane 

I bring not with me to empoison Hell. 
Stay Love behind ; come with me fell Disdain 

There with my shade for evermore to dwell ; 
Or else return with it from that dark reign 

To him from whom these cruel insults fell, 
And appear such that in the dreadful nights 
His slumber may be chas'd with grim affrights." 

cxxvn. 
She ceas'd ; and, being now resolv'd in mind, 

Chose out the sharpest arrow from her case ; 
When the knight came, and mark'd her from behind 

So nearly finishing her earthly race, 
Already strung for the' act which she design'd, 

Already with death's pallor on her face. 
He sprang on her, and grasp'd the arm which lifted 
The sharp point o'er the breast it soon had rifted. 

cxxvin. 
Armida turn'd, and saw who had appear' d, 

Suddenly saw him after some delay. 
She shriek'd aloud, and from that face endear'd 

Disdainful turn'd her eyes, and swoon'd away. 
Down fell she like a tender flow'r half shear'd, 

With drooping neck : and he became her stay : 
One arm supplying her fair side a rest. 
He loos'd meanwhile the robe about her breast : 



398 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

CXXIX. 

And her pale cheek and bosom for a space 

Bath'd with some pitying tears, nor check' d his moan. 
As the discolour' d rose resumes its grace 

When with the silver rain of morn bestrown, 
So she reviving rais'd her drooping face 

Bedew'd with tear-drops which were not her own, 
Thrice rais'd her eyes, thrice turn'd them with a sigh, 
And would not look at the dear object nigh. 

cxxx. 
And coyly she thrust back with languid hand 

The pow'rful arm by which she was sustain'd. 
Oft did she try, but 'scap'd not from that band ; 

For tighter still he grasp'd and kept her chain'd. 
Ceasing at last the dear tie to withstand, 

For dear perchance it was, and she had feign'd, 
Ere speaking she pour'd out a flood of brine 
Without once turning to his face her eyne : 

cxxxi. 
" cruel still, both when thou go'st away, 

And when return' st, who hither was thy guide 1 
How marvellous that death should lose its prey, 

And life be rescued, through the homicide ! 
Thou seek to save me ! Ah ! what scorns to-day, 

What wrongs hereafter, must Armida bide % 
The felon's unknown arts I well descry : 
But small their pow'r who have not pow'r to die. 

cxxxn. 
" Thine honor sure were scant unless array 'd 

In chains to grace thy triumph thou canst show 
A woman ta'en by force, and first betray'd : 

What greater vaunt than this can fame bestow 1 
Time was, for peace and life from thee I pray'd : 

ISbw 'twould be sweet with death to quit my woe ; 
But this I ask thee not, for all that thou 
Canst call thy gift is hateful to me now. 

CXXXIII. 

" Cruel, by mine own aid I hope to fly 
Thy presence, and escape thy savage hest : 

Though poison, arms, and precipices high, 
And cord, refuse a prisoner's last request, 

Yet is my way secure ; for I can die . J 

In spite of thee, and Heav'n for this be blest. 

Cease then thine arts. Ah ! how he seems to feign ! 

How does he flatter hopes which now are vain." 



CANTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 399 

CXXXIV. 

Thus did she mourn ; and with the waves that flow'd 

Down her fair cheeks in love and in disdain, 
His tears, too, were affectionately strow'd, 

And modest pity sparkled in that rain. 
And he replied to her in sweetest mode : 

" Armida, let thy bosom calm its pain : 
I keep thee not for scorn, but for a throne ; 
Thy champion, not thy foe, am I ■ thine own. 

cxxxv. 
" Look in mine eyes ; to these, if what I say 

Can win no credence, let thy faith be given. 
I swear to place thee in the realm whose sway 

Thy fathers held of yore. Ah ! would that Heaven 
Would cause that from thy mind by its own ray 

The veil of Paganism should be riven, 
As I would cause that none should be so great 
As thou throughout the East in regal state !" 

cxxxvi. 
He spake and pray'd; and bathes and warms his pray'r 

\Vith a few tears and many a sigh combin'd : 
Hence as the snowy flake is wont whene'er 

Or tepid gales have breath'd, or sun has shin'd, 
So melts her wrath which seems infix'd for e'er, 

Other desires alone being left behind. 
" Behold thine handmaid," said she ; " thy decree 
Howe'er thou shalt dispose, be law to me." 

CXXXVII. 

Meanwhile th' Egyptian Chief sees on the ground 

His royal standard lately so defying ; 
And the brave faithful Eimedon has he found, 

Struck down by Godfrey's hand beside it lying, 
And the' other people slain or scatter'd round : 

N or in the hard end would he shrink from dying ■ 
But goes to seek, and misses not his aim, 
Illustrious death from hand adorn 'd with fame. 

CXXXVIII. 

Against the Erankish Chief he spurs with force, 
Assur'd that he can find no worthier foe : 

And wheresoe'er he passes in his course, 

Last proof of desp'rate valour does he show : 

But, ere arriv'd, he cries far off and hoarse : 
" Lo, at thy hands I seek the fatal blow ; 

But in my latest fall my hope shall be 

To sweep thee in one ruin down with me." 



400 TORQUATO TASSO. CANTO XX. 

CXXXEL 

So spake lie : and at the same point the tui 
Eager to smite, against each other ride. 

The shield of the Frank Captain is cleft through. 
His left arm wounded, and disarni'd beside. 

From him came stroke so mighty, and so true. 
O'er the left cheek that the* other, stupiiied, 

Sank on his seat, and ere he rose a_oin. 

Pierc'd through the stomach, fell upon the juain. 

CXL. 

There now remains, since Emirene is dee 1, 
Small remnant of the mighty camp subdued. 

Godfrey pursues them but arrests his tread. 
Seeing Altamore on foot, with blood bedew'd, 

TTith half a sword, and halt' helm on his head. 
And by a hundred swordsmen girt and hew'd. 
•'• Cease, cease/' he cries to these : " and thou, brave :: r. 
Yield thee my prisoner : I am Godfrey, know.'' 

CXLI. 

And he whose soul till then had been too grand 
To stoop to aught amid the worst alarms. 

Hearing that name which rings through every land 
Betwixt the Bears and where the Negro swam 

Replies to him : •'•' I yield to thy demand. 

For thou art worthy." and gives up his arms : 
•'*' Nor shall thy victory over Altam : 
In glory or in gold be counted poor. 

CXLII. 

'■ Me shall my kingdom's gold, and gems refin'd 
Of my affectionate wife redeem from chains." 

Godfrey replies : •'• Heavn gave me not a mind 
Which grasps at treasure and at earthly gains. 

All which is breath'd on by the Persian wind. 

Keep thou, and all which blooms on Indian plains 

No price for other's life do I demand : 

I war, not barter, in this Asian land.'' 

CXLI1L 

He ceas'd, and to his euardsmen gave him o'er 

Then to pursue the fugitives he went. 
These fled to their defences, but no more 

Found shelter there from death too surely sent. 
The trench was ta'en. and fill'd with dead whose _ 

Ban on in ample streams from tent to tent, 
And soil'd the booty there, and redly dy'd 
The pomps and trappings of barbaric pride. 



CAXTO XX. JERUSALEM DELIVERED, 4(Jl 

CXLIV. 

Thus Godfrey conquer'd ; and along the west 
Enough of the* diurnal light yet glow'd 

To lead the victors to the walls which rest 
In freedom now, to Christ's rever'd abode : 

And, laying not aside his bloody vest, 

The Chief with the' others to the Temple rode, 

Hung up his arms there, and, with lowly bow 

Adorino- the Qrand Tomb, fulhU'd his vow. 



THE END. 



R. Barrett & Sons, Printers. 13, Mark Lane. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ( 



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